Four of South Africa’s neighbouring countries have temporarily suspended imports of cold, processed meats from South Africa following the recent announcement that the strain of the deadly bacteria was traced back to an Enterprise Foods manufacturing plant in Polokwane
Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia announced they were suspending imports of the products -Botswana with immediate effect. The Zambian government called on South African retail chains in its country to pull the incriminated goods from local shelves.
Since the outbreak in January this year 948 people are known to have contracted listeriosis - a disease caused by bacteria from soil, water, vegetation and animal faeces which can contaminate fresh food, notably meat. At least 180 have died, according to official figures.
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has ordered local retailers to immediately recall affected products.
Tiger Brands, which owns Enterprise, has denied that its products were responsible for the deaths. "We are being extra cautious and vigilant; we are recalling all products made from the two facilities affected,” said Tiger Brands CE, Lawrence MacDougall, adding that the government had only ordered the company to withdraw three product lines.
"Any loss of life is tragic. It is devastating for me to have our products linked to this outbreak."
The local processed meat market was reportedly worth R6.02 billion rand last year.
Meanwhile the Limpopo provincial government is “hard at work” to contain the listeriosis hazard following an urgent meeting held with business organisations late yesterday (Monday).
Limpopo government spokesman Phuti Seloba said in a statement the government was “extremely concerned” about the health hazard posed by the processed meat products and had met with business chambers and producers to prepare a recall strategy.
It was not yet known what the revenue losses for exporters and retail stores would be.
