Safety advice issued after suspected food poisoning incident at Truck Festival
Organisers and the local council are supporting an investigation into the reported illnesses
A health watchdog is reminding festival organisers, traders and visitors to be vigilant after a suspected food poisoning incident at Truck Festival in Oxfordshire last weekend.
Organisers removed a food vendor from the event after its on-site medical team received reports of a number of attendees suffering gastrointestinal symptoms.
A spokesperson for Truck Festival said its Health and Safety team launched an immediate investigation and identified a third-party food vendor as the suspected source.
The vendor was removed from operation within 90 minutes of the first report.
The spokesperson added: “We reported our findings to the local Environmental Health Officer the same day and are supporting their ongoing investigation into the cause.
“We share the disappointment and frustration of those whose weekend was affected.”
Vale of White Horse District Council said it had been made aware of a potential food poisoning outbreak after reports were made by festival-goers at the medical tent.
A council spokesperson said: “We are investigating the issue and are working with the food business, Truck Festival, UKHSA and the trader's own local registering authority.”
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has since issued advice to food businesses and festival-goers, warning that outdoor events can create additional challenges for maintaining food safety.
Hannah Ward, a CIEH member who specialises in festival and mobile catering inspections, said it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the incident while investigations are ongoing.
She said large-scale events can present risks including hot weather, temporary kitchen facilities, high customer numbers and limited storage space.
Ms Ward said food businesses operating at festivals have the same legal responsibilities as any other food business, including ensuring food is stored at safe temperatures, sourced from reputable suppliers and handled by appropriately trained staff.
The CIEH has reminded food businesses trading at festivals to:
- Keep high-risk foods chilled below 8°C
- Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods
- Ensure staff have appropriate food hygiene training
- Maintain strict personal hygiene standards and provide suitable handwashing facilities
- Keep records of suppliers, temperature checks and cleaning procedures
- Act quickly if customers report illness and cooperate with authorities
Festival-goers are also being advised to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, use sanitiser before eating, and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
The CIEH also said event organisers should ensure food safety specialists or Environmental Health Officers are involved early in planning, with adequate water supplies, waste facilities and outbreak management plans in place.
Ms Ward added that the vast majority of festival food businesses work hard to provide safe, high-quality food, and that incidents of this kind are not common.
She said maintaining strong food safety standards is essential to protect public health and confidence in the festival industry.