The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued an alert on meat products from South Africa following a recall of all processed meat products produced in South Africa.
According to published media reports, the recalled products are processed meat products that are sold ready to eat (also known as polony) , which are produced by Tiger Brands Unit-Enterprise Food and RCL Foods.
The products are sold within South Africa as well as exported to other countries.
A statement from CFTC says the recall has been triggered by an outbreak of listeria, which is linked to consumption of contaminated processed meat products.
Listeria is believed to cause flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhoea and infection of the blood stream and brain.
CFTC has said in view of this, consumers need to exercise cautions and has also asked all retailers, wholesalers and distributors of South African – made meat products to immediately withdraw the meat products, if they fall under the categories of interest and dispose safely.
“In conjunction with other regulatory bodies, the commission will carry out an inspection of business premises to ascertain whether the said processed meat products from South Africa have been withdrawn and destroyed,” the statement says.
Further, CFTC has said retailers should ensure that all fridges and food preparation areas are re-cleaned to prevent cross contamination.