Friday, 29 March, 2024
HomeWeekly RoundupSA's listeria outbreak declared officially over

SA's listeria outbreak declared officially over

The world's deadliest listeria outbreak is over. The Times reports that this is according to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who said that it is still not known how the bacteria ended up in the affected factory. "Nobody‚ whether in government or in private sector‚ can say how it up ended in the factory. Tiger Brands has done every inspection and nobody has pinpointed how this listeria got in the (factory) this way‚” he said.

The report says the outbreak led to more than 203 deaths. The vast majority were caused by the ST6 strain of listeria‚ which was found in Tiger Brands Polokwane's processed meat factory.

Every factory in the country‚ a total of 157‚ that makes processed meat has been inspected by World Health Organisation health inspectors and environmental health inspectors. Samples of food and samples taken from factory machines and surfaces were tested.

The report says not a single factory‚ except Tiger Brands‚ had the ST6 strain of listeria that caused the outbreak. The minister said: "Now ready-to-eat processed meats can be safely consumed."

Motsoaledi said to prevent another outbreak of listeria‚ food safety laws have been updated and 900 health inspectors (environmental health inspectors) have been re-trained in taking samples from food factories.

The overall response to listeria and the testing of every factory cost R12m‚ said health director-general Precious Matsoso.

Motsoaledi urged people to follow food-safety rules even though the outbreak was over. These include washing hands‚ keeping raw and cooked food separate‚ cooking food thoroughly‚ using safe water and storing food at safe temperatures.

[link url="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-09-03-polony-can-come-back-into-your-diet-listeria-outbreak-declared-over/"]The Times report[/link]

MedicalBrief — our free weekly e-newsletter

We'd appreciate as much information as possible, however only an email address is required.