{"id":406580,"date":"2018-03-05T14:00:32","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=406580"},"modified":"2018-03-05T14:00:32","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T14:00:32","slug":"listeria-outbreak-sa-markets-clear-polony-meats-shelves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2018\/03\/listeria-outbreak-sa-markets-clear-polony-meats-shelves\/","title":{"rendered":"Listeria outbreak: SA markets clear polony, other meats from shelves"},"content":{"rendered":"
Supermarkets in South Africa have been clearing a popular sausage from the shelves after it was blamed for a food poisoning outbreak behind 180 deaths.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Customers have descended on the factories that made the polony, to demand a refund.<\/p>\n
The outbreak was finally traced after infecting people for more than a year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
‘It’s in my kids’ lunch’<\/strong><\/p>\n There have been 948 cases of listeria poisoning reported since January 2017, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n The United Nations says it is believed to be the largest outbreak ever, worldwide.<\/p>\n In some people the disease – known as listeriosis – causes high temperatures, vomiting and diarrhoea. The elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and babies – both in the womb and newborn – are particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n Some 180 of those infected have died.<\/p>\n Health authorities ordered a recall of polony, prompting supermarkets like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar and Woolworths to clear it from their shelves, along with bacon, sausages and other processed meat products.<\/p>\n “I already packed my kids’ lunch with this product, so I’m shocked,” said Tshepo Makhura, a 37-year-old call centre agent, who had returned to one store to demand a refund.<\/p>\n “I lost trust with Enterprise. I’ll be scared even if they say this problem is solved. I would rather go back to peanut butter and jam.”<\/p>\n