The Good Food Chain granted permission to resume production in Staffordshire
The Good Food Chain has been granted permission to resume production as it is no longer part of the ongoing investigation into the source of the recent listeria outbreak, the Food Standard's Agency (FSA) has confirmed.
The Staffordshire-based company had voluntarily ceased production of its sandwiches - after several hospital patients contracted listeria from the pre-packaged sandwiches.
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed cases of listeria at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Derby Hospital.
Despite being able to continue with production, the Good Food Chain said it has taken the decision not to until "it is viable to do so".
In a statement, The Good Food Chain said: "The FSA has confirmed that we are not the source of the listeria strain in question, and that we follow 'best practice for manufacturing, cleaning, and environmental standards'.
"While this means we can now resume production, we have not yet taken any decision about whether it is viable to do so.
"Production therefore remains suspended for the time being."
It added: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the families of those who have died following this terrible episode."
Why is listeria dangerous?
The bacteria in listeria can cause listeriosis and is usually caught from eating food containing listeria bacteria.
Listeria infection in healthy people is usually either unnoticed or may cause very mild illness.
However, it can have more serious consequences for some people, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions and pregnant women.
Mild symptoms of listeriosis include a high temperature of 38C or above, aches and pains, chills, feeling sick or vomiting, diarrhoea.
The time between exposure to the organism and the development of the illness can be up to 70 days.
Occasionally, however, a more serious infection develops and spreads to the bloodstream or brain.