#WATCH – Community angry, scared and desperate for answers about #Listeriosis
Germiston community members flock to Enterprise’s Factory Shop in Linton Jones Street, demanding refunds and, more importantly, answers from the franchise.
Shock has been felt across the city after the announcement that a strain of listeria has been linked to the Enterprise Factory Shop, a division of Tiger Brands, in Linton Jones Street.
The report, released yesterday (Sunday), by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that scientists had traced the source of the recent outbreak of listeriosis to Enterprise Foods facilities and a Rainbow Foods facility, and the Germiston company was pinpointed as one of the sources of a countrywide listeriosis outbreak.
The GCN visited the store, whose workers could be seen sitting under trees while gates were locked and doors shut.
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We spoke to angry and concerned community members who were desperately attempting to get a refund for their Enterprise goods.
Thusang Moloi said, “We are not getting any details from the cashiers.
“You only get a refund on the items you have with you.
“They refuse to refund items that we may have already consumed even if we can prove it comes from the store.
“We are also getting no real answers from management or a company representative.”
Zolani Manda told the GCN that while he received a refund on some of his Enterprise products, they had refused to refund him for his pork items.
“They said they would not give me a refund for the pork items as there is no issue with them and there is no listeria in the pork,” he said.
Manda said he was shocked at how the company was handling the situation.
“We have grandmothers, grandfathers and children who are falling sick and yet we get no answers or advice from them,” he said.
Ntsoaki Moloi was furious that the public had not been addressed by a company representative.
“We have not been given any guidance as to what will happen next,” she said.
Another resident commented on how the community will have to avoid eating meat and stick to fruit and vegetables until they have more answers.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Source of Listeriosis outbreak confirmed
Lawrence Mac Dougall, chief executive officer for Tiger Brands, said in a company statement, “Food safety remains the highest priority at Tiger Brands – where we always place consumers’ health and safety above all else.
“Therefore, we can confirm that we have, with immediate effect, undertaken a full national recall of the affected Enterprise ready-to-eat meat product range,” said Lawrence Mac Dougall, chief executive officer for Tiger Brands.
“We are being extra vigilant and cautious, as consumer safety remains our highest priority and, therefore, immediate action is being taken.
“Additionally, we have suspended operations at both Enterprise manufacturing facilities (Polokwane and Germiston) and have halted supply to trade.
“The company is working closely with the authorities to conduct a recall.
“After consultation with the National Consumer Commission, a full communication plan – including print, radio and online communication – will be rolled out at the soonest possible time, to help us reach consumers who have Enterprise products in their homes.
“We have contacted all our customers to confirm that the recalled products are removed from store shelves.
“We acknowledge that we are dealing with an extremely serious issue that pertains to people’s personal health and well-being and want to provide the assurance to all South Africans that we are dealing with this matter with the utmost urgency.
“We will be setting up a consumer helpline to specifically assist anyone requiring more information around this recall.
“Since the confirmed outbreak of listeriosis by the Department of Health in December 2017, we have amplified our testing for listeria of both raw materials and finished goods and have also introduced additional hygiene monitoring of our processes, equipment, storage and waste areas at our facilities,” said Mac Dougall.
As per the minster of health’s instructions, Tiger Brands has advised consumers to remove any Enterprise ready-to-eat products from their fridges and place them in a plastic bag away from other products.
The community has also been warned to not just dump these food products as vagrants may find them on landfills or in bins.
The GCN has sent further questions to the DoH and Tiger Brands but is yet to receive comment.
More details will be published as they become available.
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