We can all finally eat Vetkoeks with polony freely, since the listeria outbreak has been declared over.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi made the announcement on Monday, during a press briefing in Johannesburg.
According to TimesLive the outbreak led to more than 203 deaths. The vast majority were caused by the ST6 strain of listeria‚ which was found in Tiger Brands Polokwane’s processed meat factory.
Motsoaledi said it is not known how the bacteria ended up in the affected factory.
@HealthZA Minister says while the #Listeriosis outbreak is over, it does not mean that people #Listeria is gone.
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) September 3, 2018
“Nobody‚ whether in government or in private sector‚ can say how it up ended in the factory. Tiger Brands has done every inspection and nobody has pinpointed how this listeria got in the [factory] this way‚” he said.
After months of inspection’s the minister said, “Now ready-to-eat processed meats can be safely consumed.”
He added that to prevent another outbreak of listeria‚ food safety laws have been updated and 900 health inspectors (environmental health inspectors) have been re-trained in taking samples from food factories.
Motsoaledi urged people to follow food-safety rules even though the outbreak was over. These include washing hands‚ keeping raw and cooked food separate‚ cooking food thoroughly‚ using safe water and storing food at safe temperatures.
People took to twitter to share their views;
Street vendors rushing to buy Enterprise / Rainbow polony and Russians now that #Listeriosis is no more… pic.twitter.com/D0oZm0vCSB
— Free King Dalindyebo (@Spiwo) September 3, 2018
I’m having Kota for lunch, dinner and breakfast tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/Mznyx678ZU
— 😎 Babakhe 👑 (@Truu_Black) September 3, 2018
We’re of course thrilled by the #Listeriosis news, however I’m more interested in knowing who’s been held accountable for the loss of lives?
— Makhathini (@_Mcebo_) September 3, 2018
In the midst of it all, atleast we can now start eating a kota. I never really liked it but you dont know what you have untill its gone😂 #Listeriosis pic.twitter.com/vx6N86llDJ
— Boitumelo (@BoityMabaso) September 3, 2018
TimesLive