Listeria found in Rainbow products

Motsoaledi awaiting more results from Free State

HEALTH Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that Rainbow Chicken Limited’s plant in the Free State is contaminated with listeria. This after the company said tests carried out by a laboratory in Francehad found they were clear of the current strain of listeria.

Motsoaledi said the company’s statement was misleading and products from facilities that have been contaminated pose major health risks.

“We agree with Rainbow Chicken that the French laboratory they used for whole genome sequencing of listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from their Wolwehoek production facility is a reputable internationally recognised laboratory…

But, this is not the point. The point is that listeria monocytogenes was recovered from the Rainbow Chicken Wolwehoek plant, and this state of affairs has not changed,” he said.

“We made it clear at the press conference that we only had results of whole genome sequencing for the Enterprise Foods Polokwane production facility.

“We further clarify that for the Rainbow Chicken Wolwehoek production facility in Sasolburg, we only have results of culture so far and that 14% of the environmental samples tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.

“We are waiting for the whole genome sequencing results which will be available early next week. The results shared by the Rainbow Chicken do not, in any way change the fact that listeria was found in the Rainbow Chicken Wolwehoek production facility, from several areas of the production facility, including post-production areas which are a risk for product contamination.”

Motsoaledi said Rainbow Chicken’s announcement did not in any way alter the actions the Department of Health had announced regarding their readyto-eat processed meat products on March 4. Listeria monocytogenes may pose a risk for human health.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said 978 cases had been reported since the outbreak was first noted in December, with 11 additional cases having been reported since March 8.

“Cases of listeriosis will continue to occur up to four weeks or longer after the recall of the implicated foodstuffs, as the incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as 21 days, with a reported maximum of 70 days.

“Outcome at the end of hospitalisation is known for an additional five cases, bringing the total with known outcome to 69% of patients. No additional deaths have been reported,” the institute said.

On Friday, the Shoprite group recalled a batch of Farmer’s Deli red viennas after listeria monocytogenes were found in initial testing.