Listeriosis: Canned products safe

The ministry of agriculture has allayed fears that canned products from the South African company Enterprise Foods might be contaminated with the deadly listeria bacteria that spilled over into Namibia this week. Dr Adrianatus Maseke, the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, yesterday said canned products were been implicated in the listeriosis outbreak. “Canned products are satisfactory at this stage and they can only be contaminated during cross-infection. The South African authorities are now certifying canned products. There is therefore no cause for concern,” said Dr Maseke. Panic hit the country after health minister Bernard Haufiku announced that a Tsumeb man had been diagnosed with the disease after eating a vienna bought from a butchery in the town earlier this week. The man was admitted to the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek and is recovering. Haufiku yesterday said all products from the Rainbow Chicken and Enterprise Foods companies' factories must be avoided. The ministry also directed the immediate removal of products from these two companies from local stores and urged regions with points of entry to strengthen surveillance. In a statement issued by health permanent secretary Petronella Masabane, the ministry recommended that the selling of ready-to-eat meat by vendors should be prohibited. “The ministry of agriculture, water and forestry, in collaboration with the health ministry, ordered a recall of ready-to-eat cold meats from all shops and banned the import of these products from Rainbow Chicken and Enterprise Foods in South Africa. The health ministry has also informed all its environmental health practitioners to inspect all retailers that are selling these products and ensure that they are removed from the shelves and destroyed under strict supervision,” she said. She added that pregnant women, children, the elderly and those people with a compromised immune system are most at risk. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, confusion and convulsions. When the minister announced the outbreak on Tuesday most Windhoek shopkeepers had already removed South African products from their shelves. In the face of many fake reports a local Spar shop has put up a message on its cold meat fridges to inform clients that their shop is listeria free. City of Windhoek spokesperson Scheifert Shigwedha confirmed that the City was working closely with the health ministry to contain the situation. “We are already collaborating with the health ministry on the hepatitis E outbreak I am sure the same channels will be followed. But since this case is unfolding it is too early to comment but certainly the City Police will be on board to deal with the street vendors,” he said.JEMIMA BEUKES

Listeriosis: Canned products safe

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-15

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Listeriosis: Canned products safe

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-15

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