Question NW1180 to the Minister of Health
07 May 2018 - NW1180
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What sources of listeriosis were found in the latest outbreak of 2017-18 and (b) in each case, (i) where was it found, (ii) what testing procedures were followed, (iii) what specific strain of the disease tested positive and (iv) what was the level of listeriosis present; (2) whether the location/factory was closed down; if so, (a) what processes where followed in this regard, (b) what is required for the factory to be declared safe and (c) when is it expected to be operational again?
Reply:
(1) (a) Enterprises Production facility in Polokwane and RCL in Sasolburg;
(b) (i) In the facility and in food samples;
(ii) Selective culture-based detection and phynotypic detection identification followed by Whole Genome Sequencing;
(iii) Enterprise facility: ST6 and non-ST6;
RCL: Non-ST6
(iv) In an outbreak investigation, the presence or absence of Listeriosis is sufficient to determine source;
(2) (a) National Consumer Commission issued compliance notices and safety recall notices;
(b) No listeriosis in the facility should be found;
(c) Please ask Enterprise and RCL, the Department of Health does not run their factories.
END.