South Africa: Ready-to-eat meat linked to listeria risk

Investigations into the health crisis that is known to have killed 180 South Africans, and to have sickened 948 people reveal the source of infection to have been a ready-to-eat (RTE) meat product, polony, and two firms have been linked to the outbreaks.

rusak, Bigstock
rusak, Bigstock

Investigations into the health crisis that is known to have killed 180 South Africans and sickened 948 people reveal the source of infection to have been a ready-to-eat (RTE) meat product, polony, and two firms have been linked to the outbreaks.

The outbreaks of illness started in January last year and although a particular strain of Listeria monocytogenes was soon identified as the cause, the source of infection proved elusive. Although 60 percent of the victims were in Gauteng province, others were confirmed across the country. The final crucial piece of evidence was provided following an outbreak of gastroenteritis in young children at a hospital crèche in January. Two brands of polony were found there, one of which was from the Enterprise factory operated by Tiger Brands in Polokwane. Subsequently, at least 16 environmental samples collected from the facility tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria.

Investigations are continuing at a second Enterprise factory in Germiston, where multiple environmental samples have also tested positive for Listeria.  

“Food safety remains the highest priority at Tiger Brands — where we always place consumers’ health and safety above all else,” said the CEO of Tiger Brands, Lawrence MacDougall. “Therefore, we can confirm that we have, with immediate effect, undertaken a full national recall of the affected Enterprise ready-to-eat meat product range.”

He added that since the listeriosis situation was confirmed, the company had carried out additional checks on its raw materials and finishes products, and introduced hygiene monitoring at its facilities.

The second brand of polony linked to the outbreak at the crèche was manufactured by Rainbow Chicken Ltd., part of RCL Foods. Investigations are ongoing at one if its production sites, where some of its products tested positive for Listeria, although not the outbreak strain, and the bacteria have also been detected in some environmental samples.

In a statement, RCL Foods said that its Wolwehoek processing plant has taken the precautionary measure to suspend all production of RCL Foods’ Rainbow Polony brand, and it is in the process of recalling all Rainbow Polony products from its entire customer base.

These revelations follow long and complex investigations by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NIDC), culminating in a government warning for South Africans not to consume any such RTE products for the time being.

“We advise members of the public to avoid all processed meat products that are sold as ready-to-eat,” said Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. “While we know that polony is definitely implicated, there is a risk of cross-contamination of other ready-to-eat processed meat products, either at production, distribution or retail. This is because Listeria on the exterior casing (packaging) of polony can be transferred to other products it comes into contact with, including Viennas, Russians, frankfurters, other sausages, and other “cold meat” products that are typically not cooked before eating.”

Based on the available evidence, The minister has issued a national recall of all RTE meat products from all parts of the distribution network.

 

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