Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Municipal Health Services Section of Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) has a statutory obligation in terms of the National Health Act (61 of 2003) and the Foodstuffs, Cosmetic and Disinfectant Act, (Act 54 of 1972) to monitor and ensure safe food to communities, which include the storage and disposal of condemned foodstuffs.
The Eden DM has assisted with the recall of the indicated products after the source of listeriosis outbreak had been identified by National Government.
Eden DM's objective is to ensure that the following products are removed and not enter the food chain of our people in the district:
• Enterprise polony
• Enterprise smoked Russians
• Enterprise Frankfurters
• Rainbow Chicken Viennas
"Smaller shops such as general dealers, house shops, mobile and spaza shops that are generally more difficult to reach, are the focus areas where urgent interventions are needed. Many wholesalers do communicate with their customers via electronic media and we have seen a positive response in this regard.
"Currently Environmental Health practitioners are doing comprehensive inspections and investigations at formal and informal food premises and are requesting or instructing the Managers in charge of food premises to remove all products from shelves, which have been listed to be recalled."
A press conference was held on 7 March about listeriosis and how it affects the Eden District. Here are Eden District Municipality members (from left) Monde Stratu (municipal manager), Councillor Memory Booysen (executive mayor), Clive Africa (executive manager: community services) and Johan Compion (senior manager: municipal health and environmental services).
All contaminated products have to be handled safely, detained, sealed and stored for collection and removal.
"They also have to be disposed by the distributor for safe disposal at an approved waste facility not accessible to the public."
The only approved waste facility in Eden District Municipality area of jurisdiction is the Optimum Waste Incineration Plant in George.
Environmental Health practitioners are also conducting awareness and education sessions at the formal and informal food premises, which also include crèches, schools and old age homes.
People who are extremely vulnerable and at risk are: pregnant woman, the elderly and persons with underlying conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic liver or kidney disease and persons with weakened immune systems due to HIV and chemotherapy.
Read a previous article | Listeriosis: Consumers panicking now
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