The Food and Drug Authority(FDA) has warned the public to avoid patronising food-based products from Enterprise Foods, Polokwane, South Africa(a subsidiary of Tiger Brands Company) on the market, saying the affected RTE products from the company are subject to recall, a statement from the FDA said.
According to FDA, through the collaborative efforts between the authority and the International Network of Food Safety Authorities(INFOSAN) which shares food safety alerts, the FDA has information that outbreak of Listeriosis in South Africa was linked to Ready-to-eat(RTE) processed meat products produced by Enterprise Foods, Polokwane, South Africa.
Consequently, the FDA in its statement cautioned that Ghana is a known Export Country for Enterprise Foods, and hence there is a possibility of the recalled products exported to the country, thus the public notice.
Retailers are advised to remove (these) products from store shelves based on the health alert.
“The FDA has intensified its post market surveillance activities nationwide and any ready-to-eat(RTE) processed meat products produced by Enterprise Foods in Polokwane, South Africa found will be detained and destroyed. In addition vigilance at the various ports of entry has also been intensified, as no imports should be made from this company. Any products from Entreprise Foods in Polokwane, South Africa((a subsidiary of Tiger Brands Company) will be detained and the necessary regulatory actions taken.” the statement further noted.
Supermarkets in South Africa have discarded popular sausage from the shelves after it was blamed for a food poisoning outbreak behind 180 deaths.
The government identified the cold meat polony as the source of the listeria poisoning – but advised consumers to avoid all ready-to-eat processed meat.
The outbreak was finally traced after infecting people for more than a year.
It is believed to have originated in an Enterprise Food factory in the northern city of Polokwane. A plant owned by RCL Foods is also under suspicion. Both firms have suspended meat production.
What is listeriosis?
- It can be caught from food containing listeria bacteria, or close contact with farm animals
- Cases usually involve unpasteurised milk or dairy products, such as camembert and brie
- Pre-packed foods, including sandwiches and paté, can also contain listeria
- Symptoms include high temperature, flu-like symptoms, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Most people infected display no symptoms, but elderly and very young people are vulnerable
