- Ready-to-eat deli meats and hot dogs
- Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads
- Unpasteurized (raw) milk and dairy products
- Soft cheese made with unpasteurised milk, such as Feta, Brie, Camembert
- Refrigerated smoked seafood
- Raw sprouts
The Food Industry Under The Spotlight Amidst Listeriosis Outbreak
A recent outbreak of listeriosis in South Africa has many consumers concerned about possible food contamination and wondering what they can do to protect themselves and their families from this deadly disease.
With over 850 confirmed cases, it is believed to be the largest-ever outbreak of the bacterial disease worldwide — 42% of them in babies less than one month old — and 107 people have died. (Health24)
Now more than ever, food safety has come under the spotlight as the public begins to query the food industry’s role in preventing contaminated food from reaching store shelves.
What is Listeriosis?
According to the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
“Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes”
Individuals at risk for infection include pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, and vomiting, sometimes preceded by diarrhoea.
The bacteria, listeria, is found in found in soil, water and some animals, including poultry and cattle. It can also grow in food processing plants and contaminate a variety of food products, including:
