Housebrand and private label cold meats safe – say Shoprite Group
The Shoprite Group eases customers' concerns following listeriosis outbreak link to Enterprise products.
Following reports that listeriosis has been linked to Enterprise Foods facilities and a Rainbow Foods facility, one of which is in Germiston, the Shoprite Group has assured customers that their housebrand and private label cold meats are safe.
Supermarkets in the Shoprite Group have removed all affected Enterprise processed cold meats and Rainbow Chicken from its fridges and deli’s after the announcement by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
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In a statement the company stated that the affected products had been removed from shelves, isolated in stores and ensured customers that items sold under the Housebrand, Ritebrand and Farmer’s Deli brand names are not affected by recall notices that have been served on Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken.
“Shoprite and Checkers brands in this category are not manufactured by these two suppliers,” the statement read.
Customers are, however, invited to return any Enterprise processed cold meat products and Rainbow Chicken polony in their original packaging that they have at home for a full refund.
“Proof of purchase is not required and opened products can also be returned,” the statement read.
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The group said their customers’ health and safety is the main focus for the retailer and that it was relieved that sources of the outbreak have been identified so that consumers now have some peace of mind about their perishable food purchases.
Following the Department of Health’s announcement about a national outbreak of listeriosis last year, the Shoprite Group immediately instituted an enhanced monitoring plan on top of its regular independent audits of store food preparation areas in an effort to detect if a risk of listeria was present, given that the bacterium naturally occurs in the environment.
“The Shoprite Group has a well-developed risk assessment programme in place that confirms the adherence to food safety and hygiene protocols in its supermarkets,” the statement read.
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