SA food imports banned

… ready to eat cold meats banned

MINISTRY of Health has banned the importation of risky foods from South Africa following the outbreak of Listeria bacteria in that country.

Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya told a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that active food surveillance has since been heightened in all provinces and the national committee will conduct a scientific risk assessment on cold meats to ascertain the risk in the country.

Dr Chilufya said health inspectors have also been tasked to visit South African chain stores such as Shoprite, PnP and Game starting today to ensure that ready to eat meat products are removed.

He said the ministry has put in place a strong health system able to detect any threat to national security and prevent such outbreaks in the country by monitoring goods being imported in the country.

He said pregnant women, babies, the elderly over 65 years and immune-compromised adults are at risk.

He said infected pregnant women may experience mild flu symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

Dr Chilufya said the common source of infection include daily products, meats from infected animals and vegetables and polony was the most common followed by Vienna Sausage and other cold meats.

Dr Chilufya said the public should also avoid eating processed foods, ready-to-eat meat products, soft cheese and unpasteurized milk.

As of March 04, 2018, a total of 948 confirmed cases and 180 deaths had been reported within South Africa, representing a 27 percent case fatality rate and the common source of infection is from daily products, meats from infected animals and vegetables.

And Dr Chilufya said the country has not yet recorded any Listeriosis case and the ministry is working with local and international stakeholders to ensure that the people are protected from the outbreak

"The South African Department of Health has identified ready to eat meat products as the source of the outbreak from Enterprise Food Production and Rainbow Chicken Limited," he said.