Article re-cap
- The City of Cape Town is inspecting small outlets and fast food traders to ensure the recall of Enterprise products following a listeriosis outbreak.
- Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi identified the Enterprise food production facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, as the source of the listeriosis outbreak.
- Processed food manufacturers Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited have been issued with safety recall notices.
- There have been 88 reported cases of listeriosis within the Cape metro area over the past year.
The City of Cape Town is conducting inspections at smaller outlets and fast food traders to ensure the recall of Enterprise products following a listeriosis outbreak.
City environmental health practitioners will visit small outlets to determine if they are aware of the product recall and to record volumes of stock on site, according to Mayco member for safety JP Smith.
The information collected during these visits will be used to aid the recall and ensure identified products are removed from shelves. City Health will also visit fast food outlets and other food traders as part of an education and awareness campaign regarding personal hygiene and food safety risks.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Sunday that the Enterprise food production facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, was identified as the source of the listeriosis outbreak. Processed food manufacturers Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited (RCL) have been issued with safety recall notices.
There have been 948 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis in South Africa over the past year, with 88 cases reported in the Cape metro, Smith said.
Most people who consume contaminated products will remain asymptomatic, but those who become ill may develop self-limiting fever and diarrhoea. High risk groups include pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with underlying conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic liver or kidney disease, or weakened immune systems due to HIV or chemotherapy, according to Smith.
Frequently asked questions
What is being done about the Enterprise food recall in Cape Town?
City environmental health practitioners are visiting small outlets and fast food traders in the Cape Town area to monitor the recall. They are checking for awareness of the recall, recording stock volumes on site, and conducting education campaigns regarding personal hygiene and food safety risks.
What are the symptoms of listeriosis?
Most people who consume contaminated products will remain asymptomatic. However, those who do become ill may develop diarrhoea and a self-limiting fever. It is important to monitor health closely if you have consumed products subject to the recent safety recall notices.
Who is at high risk of complications from listeriosis?
High risk groups include pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with underlying conditions. This includes people with diabetes, cancer, or chronic liver and kidney disease, as well as those with weakened immune systems due to chemotherapy or HIV.
Which companies are involved in the food recall?
The processed food manufacturers Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited have been issued with safety recall notices. The Enterprise production facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, has been identified as the source of the listeriosis outbreak affecting parts of South Africa, including the Cape metro.
Source: sundayindependent.co.za
