Airbus Atlantic’s 700+ Employees Suffer Mass Food Poisoning After Holiday Meal

Mass Food Poisoning has struck Airbus Atlantic in France, with over 700 employees falling ill with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea following a Christmas dinner event near the northwestern city of Nantes last week. The ARS health agency in France has initiated an investigation into this widespread case of mass food poisoning, reporting that more than 700 people who attended the dinner event exhibited ‘clinical signs of vomiting or diarrhea.

The dinner, which took place on December 14 at the company’s offices in Montoir-de-Bretagne, saw workers falling sick over the next two days. Fortunately, no one required hospitalization, but concerns over the cause of the illness linger. Employees were reportedly given an online questionnaire to report their symptoms, contributing to ongoing efforts to identify the source.

While the investigation is underway, speculation on social media has arisen, with some workers suggesting Rocamadour cheese, made from goat milk, as a potential culprit. However, no official confirmation regarding the cause has been provided. The company restaurant, where the Christmas-themed meal occurred, was reportedly busier than usual, as staff sought to enjoy the festive occasion.

Airbus Atlantic, a subsidiary of the European aerospace giant Airbus, employs 15,000 people across five countries. The broader Airbus group, known as the world’s largest aircraft maker, has 134,000 employees globally. Airbus has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.

This incident echoes a separate case earlier in the year in France, where individuals fell ill, and a Greek national died from botulism after dining at a restaurant in Bordeaux. The challenges of ensuring food safety have once again come to the forefront, prompting heightened scrutiny and an urgent need to identify the source of the mass food poisoning at Airbus Atlantic.