Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi and Botswana have all recalled South African processed meat products after a deadly listeria outbreak.
And Shoprite Group has removed all affected Enterprise processed cold meats and Rainbow chicken polony from its fridges and deli’s.
The outbreak claimed 180 lives in South Africa.
Tiger Brands issued a recall on their cold meats following listeria being found in their polony.
Rainbow Chickens’ polony was also recalled.
Zambia’s high commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba, urged South African retail chain stores operating in Zambia to recall ready-to-eat meat products imported from that country following the confirmation of the source of listeria bacteria.
“(Ministry) asks that all owners of establishments that commercialise these products start to withdraw from the shelves due to the danger that this constitutes to health,” a statement from Mozambique’s ministry of agriculture and food security said.
The Malawi Competition and Fair Trading Commission on Monday asked wholesalers and retailers to remove imported meat products from South Africa from their shelves, and Namibia on Monday suspended imports of processed meat.
Lawrence McDougall, the CEO of Tiger Brands told a news conference the company had not yet worked out the financial impact of suspending production at two of the company’s factories that were linked to the outbreak.
MacDougall did acknowledge that the government had linked the ST6 strain of listeria bacteria detected in Enterprise facilities with the outbreak that has resulted in 180 deaths.
“We are being extra cautious and vigilant, we are recalling all products made from the two facilities” affected, he said, 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 United Nations has previously said South Africa’s listeriosis outbreak is believed to be the largest-ever worldwide.
The infection mainly affects children and has a three-week incubation period, making it difficult to track.
In a statement, the Shoprite Group announced that it removed all affected Enterprise processed cold meats and Rainbow chicken polony from its fridges and deli’s after the announcement by the Minister of Health, following tests linking the Listeria monocytogenes ST6 strain positively with these supplier manufacturing plants.
The products have been removed from shelves, isolated in stores and are being uplifted as of this morning.
“Customers are invited to return any Enterprise processed cold meat products and Rainbow chicken polony in their original packaging that they have at home for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required and opened products can also be returned,” the statement read.
Yaba, please make sure to burn the meats don’t throw pa chishala otherwise our people will go and pick and sale to the poor who will end up sick. I love Zambia.
Finally though late I hope the message has reached most Zambians. Please inform the people and make sure you visit shops in remote areas don’t just target South African shops.
And how many people have died in Zambia from this; many; in the 80s South Africans loved Zambian beef and chickens; now Zambians are dying like chickens because they like food; avoid eating too much tinned foods; too much cancer;
TO ALL ON THIS BLOG: PLEASE HELP TO DIVULGE THIS MESSAGE. PEOPLE MUST STOP EATING THESE POLONIES AND READY MEATS FOR NOW.
I AM MORE WORRIED WITH THE POLONIES BEING SOLD IN STREETS AND TAVERNS WHICH ARE NORMALLY REMOVED FROM THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING. A SIMPLE PHONE CALL TO A FRIEND OR RELATIVE WILL HELP SAVE A LIFE. BY THE WAY THERE VERY FEW OF US WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEDGE TO ACCESS INTERNET AND THIS NEWS AS IT COMES.
LET US TARGET PEOPLE IN REMOTE FAR-FLUNG AREAS.
My local doctor has been sending whatsapp messages to groups and individuals. He’s even mentioning this as you enter his consultation room. Let everyone do their part as we drink our favorite lager, at work, church even on buses.
Responsible Zambians, I am really liking this.
But why hide the symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms:
a). Some of the symptoms include flu-like symptoms like fever and nausea as well as diarrhoea.
b). In high-risk patients, the spread of infection to the nervous system can cause meningitis, leading to headaches, confusion, a stiff neck, loss of balance or convulsions.
c). Pregnant women may present with a mild flu-like illness associated with headache, fever and myalgia.
d). However, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature births, infection of the newborn with permanent disability and miscarriage or stillbirth.
Symptoms and treatment:
a). The symptoms show up as early as two days after infection and can also be delayed up to a month. These include mild flu-like symptoms, headaches, muscle aches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The infection can also spread to the nervous system where it can cause stiff neck, disorientation, or convulsions.
b). Should you experience any of these signs after eating food which has been recalled due to listeria outbreak, it is advised that you contact your doctor.
c). Mild symptoms often require no treatment except for cases of pregnant women and those who are stated as most vulnerable.
d). Antibiotics are required for more serious infections.