No listeria risk, Meatco promises

Meatco has objected to its products being linked to the listeriosis outbreak in South Africa that has killed at least 180 people.It said it was “greatly shocked” by an image of its Eloolo canned beef product being circulated along with articles on the scare in South Africa and products unrelated to Meatco. On Monday, Namibia recalled all products linked to listeria contamination in South Africa and also cancelled all import permits granted to the manufacturers of these products. At the weekend South Africa recalled ready-to-eat processed meat products from shops nationwide after scientists had traced the source of the contamination to factories belonging to Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken. These products are also imported into Namibia. The main culprits were found to be Enterprise polony, cold meats and vienna sausages. “Meatco would like to categorically caution the public to stop spreading the image of our Eloolo canned beef product because the product and all other Meatco products pose no threat connected to listeria or the articles relating to news in South Africa,” the company said.Meatco said it would “vigorously monitor” social media and other platforms to protect the good image of its meat products.“Given all the processing in the abattoirs, it is essential that quality assurance is maintained. All Meatco's processes are in keeping with international standards, and testing of the meat is done daily at Meatco's internal laboratory,” said Meatco's quality assurance executive, Rosa Katjivena.She gave the assurance that because of stringent quality assurance methods, Meatco guarantees the safety and quality of its products.Namibia's agriculture ministry has suspended imports of all ready-to-eat processed meat products - such as polony, russians, frankfurters, viennas, ham, salami and liver spread - produced by Rainbow Chicken and Enterprise Foods in South Africa. All import permits and transit permits issued prior to the suspension have also been cancelled. Local retailers have also removed the products from their shelves. According to the ministry the symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance. The disease is treatable and people experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.ELLANIE SMIT

No listeria risk, Meatco promises

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-15

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No listeria risk, Meatco promises

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-15

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