Health risk at resort

Leslie Green contracted salmonella while staying at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura, where he was celebrating his 70th birthday.

British man dies in Canary Islands after eating half-cooked chicken at a four star hotel

Leslie Green, a British pensioner from Bolton, died after a holiday at the Occidental Jandia Playa in Fuerteventura. He and his wife Julie ate only from the resort buffet during their stay and became ill with diarrhoea on October 9. He was treated by the in‑resort doctor and later transferred to a local hospital with dehydration, sepsis and kidney failure. Despite medical care, he died on November 4 after life support was switched off. The couple had spent about £2300 on the trip and were marking his 70th birthday when the illness began. The pair reported concerns about a lukewarm carbonara sauce and undercooked chicken during meals.

An inquest at Rochdale Coroners Court concluded that Mr Green died from food poisoning contracted from partially cooked chicken. His wife Julie also fell ill after the same meals but recovered after a week in hospital. The couple say they ate only from the buffet, and the hotel has been contacted for comment but has not yet issued a statement.

The case highlights how a routine holiday can turn dangerous when food safety lapses occur in a busy resort. Buffets are convenient but require strict controls on temperature, cross‑contamination, and staff monitoring. The inquest makes a clear link between the illness and the food served, which could prompt clinics and regulators to scrutinise hotel kitchens and buffet practices more closely. The fact that the illness affected both partners, with one of them dying, underscores the human cost of hygiene gaps, especially for older travelers who face higher risks from sepsis.

This episode may push the tourism industry to review safety protocols, staff training, and reporting procedures. It also raises questions about how quickly hotels respond to health concerns raised by guests and how information is shared with health authorities. For travelers, the incident signals that a vacation can hinge on basic safety measures and that transparent, prompt communication from operators matters just as much as attractions and price.

Highlights

Travel safety is not just about sunshine. It is about accountable kitchens and clear standards.