Skip to main content

RCL says French lab cleared its Wolwehoek factory of listeriosis

| Supplier news

RCL Foods said in a statement on 16th March 2018 that no trace of the listeria strain responsible for the more than 1 000 infections that have recently hit the country was found in the Free State polony facility of its subsidiary Rainbow.

 The company said tests conducted by an independent laboratory in France showed the facility to be clear of the ST6 strain which has so far claimed 180 lives, 79 of which were reportedly infants.


At the beginning of March Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said the department traced the strain back to Enterprise Foods’ Polokwane facility.

This prompted a recall of Enterprise Foods’ processed meat products from the shelves of various South African supermarkets and rocked parent company Tiger Brands’ reputation. Tiger Brands CEO Lawrence MacDougall distanced the company from the deaths emanating from the latest infections.

RCL Foods said tests conducted by an independent laboratory in France showed the company’s Wolwehoek plant in the Free State was clear of the ST6 listeria strain. The company said the laboratory tested the facility against world class standards.

“Rainbow polony products from the Wolwehoek plant were recalled as a precautionary measure and the plant has been temporarily closed. The recall does not affect any other RCL FOODS facilities or products, including fresh and frozen Rainbow chicken,” the company said.

Department of Health spokesperson Popo Maja said the department has not read the statement and could not yet comment.

“More than a decade ago we embarked on a process to implement internationally recognised and independently verified quality and food safety systems such as FSSC – Food Safety System Certification – 22000 and ISO 22000 in our facilities,” RCL Foods said.

Listeriosis grows in various places including food and soil. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases warns that those most vulnerable to listeriosis include infants, immunocompromosed adults, the elderly, pregnant women and people living with HIV.

The Institute has warned against the consumption of the township fast food item kota, which includes polony and russians.

It has also expressed concern that recent economic data found that cash-strapped households are relying more on processed meats for their protein intake, as other meat products have become more expensive.

Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, fever, stiffness and feeling disoriented.

 

Pin It

Related Articles

By:  Marelise van der Merwe – News24 Lucky Star has distanced itself from a consignment of counterfeit canned pilchards seized during a raid last week, owner Oceana said in a statement on Tuesday (19/11/2024).
By Marelise van der Merwe – Fin24 Retailer Woolworths has launched its own probe into a counterfeit operation involving canned pilchards, it said in a statement.
By: Gerry Cupido – IOL Lifestyle Remember the viral Dubai chocolate that everyone was raving about earlier this year? The one that people were spending up to R1,000 on?
Eskort, South Africa’s beloved pork brand, is turning 107 this year! As the leading antibiotic-free pork producer in the country, we’re marking this incredible milestone with a series of celebratory stunts that truly embody our legacy of quality, ...
From £160m boost for UK poultry industry as exports to South Africa restart - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)