Shoprite says their brand of cold meats is listeriosis-free
The company says they have a well-developed programme that confirms the adherence to food safety and hygiene protocols in its supermarkets.
Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo: pixabay
In a press release, the retail giant says their house brand and private label cold meats, 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, Bosveld Review reports.
“Shoprite and Checkers own brands in this category are not manufactured by these two suppliers,” their press statement reads.
READ MORE: Botswana closely monitoring SA listeria outbreak
Supermarkets in the Shoprite Group on Monday removed all affected Enterprise processed cold meats and Rainbow Chicken polony from its fridges and delis after the announcement by the Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, following tests linking the Listeria monocytogenes ST6 strain positively with these supplier manufacturing plants.
“The products have been removed from shelves, isolated in stores, and are being uplifted as of this morning,” the statement read.
Customers have been invited by the Shoprite Group 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 Group said their customers’ health and safety is a main focus for the retailer and that it was relieved sources of the outbreak have been identified so consumers now have some peace of mind about their perishable food purchases.
“It will do all that is necessary to assist the ministry of health’s measures to contain the outbreak of Listeriosis and has been working closely with the Department of Health over the past months to this end.”
Following the minister of health’s announcement about a national outbreak of Listerioses 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.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/botswana-monitoring-sa-listeria-outbreak-closely/
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