Canary Islands hotel breaks silence as British dad dies after eating 'half-cooked' chicken

The Canary Islands resort where a British holidaymaker died after eating "half-cooked" chicken has spoken out for the first time following an inquest into the man's death. The Barcelo Hotel Group, which runs the Occidental Jandia Playa, took the opportunity to express its "deep regret" - while emphasising its "strict food hygiene and safety problem".

Leslie Green, 70, from Little Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, was celebrating his birthday at the four-star Occidental Jandia Playa hotel in Fuerteventura last October when he and his wife Julie fell ill. The grandfather-of-one, a retired Manchester Evening News delivery driver, was taken to hospital during the second week of their £2,300 trip after suffering severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

He developed sepsis and kidney failure before dying on November 4, 2024 - around four weeks after first becoming unwell.

An inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court heard he died from multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis, triggered by food poisoning from partially cooked chicken eaten at the hotel buffet. Julie Green, who was celebrating her 60th birthday on the same trip, was also hospitalised for a week with the same infection but survived.

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Green described her husband as a "loving and caring" man and said she hoped his death would serve as a warning to improve food hygiene for other holidaymakers.

Now, the Barcelo Hotel Group - which operates the Occidental Jandia Playa - has issued its first public statement since the tragedy, saying it "deeply regrets" Mr Green's death.

A spokesperson said: "The Barceló Hotel Group deeply regrets the death of a guest at our Fuerteventura hotel in November 2024.

"On behalf of the entire group, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the guest's family and loved ones and reiterate our firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers.

"The Barceló Hotel Group has a strict food hygiene and safety protocol that includes rigorous internal controls and periodic external audits performed by an independent company renowned in food safety. This control system guarantees compliance with applicable regulations and our company's stringent quality standards.

"We also hold certificates from the aforementioned external audit company confirming that no salmonella has been detected at the hotel in the last twelve months. These audits and controls reflect our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of guests."

During the inquest, Mrs Green said she found her chicken undercooked during one meal at the buffet and recalled a carbonara sauce that had been served lukewarm.

Mr Green first sought medical help on October 12, 2024, when an in-resort doctor sent him to a local clinic for fluids. His condition worsened, and he was admitted to hospital the following day.

Doctors later placed him into an induced coma, but his health continued to deteriorate. On November 4 that same year, his life-support machine was switched off after medics said there was nothing more they could do.

He was repatriated to the UK a week later.

Jennifer Hodgson, representing Mrs Green, said after the hearing: "What happened to Leslie vividly highlights the impact of salmonella and why it, and other gastric illnesses, should never be downplayed.

"While nothing can make up for the ordeal Julie and her family have been through, it's now vital that lessons are learned to improve hygiene for other holidaymakers in the future."

Mrs Green added: "Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie's memory. I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

The Occidental Jandia Playa remains a popular resort for UK tourists visiting the Canary Islands, with its beachfront location, multiple pools and buffet restaurants.

Despite the hotel's insistence that its audits have shown no salmonella in the past year, Mr Green's family say they hope his case will prompt stricter oversight of food safety in holiday resorts worldwide.