Dangerous bacteria in Edeka liver dumplings

In liver dumplings distributed by the Edeka supermarket chain, harmful germs were discovered in tests. The chain has reacted immediately and taken all Palatine dumplings from the market. The call back started on Thursday evening.

02.03.2013

The production of the Palatinate liver dumplings was stopped for the time being after announcement of the bacteria finding by the health authorities. In order to investigate the cause of the bacterial contamination, the production site of the food manufacturer Wurst-Fleisch-Convenience GmbH was reviewed“, as a spokesman for the city of Heidelberg announced. „For this purpose, a total of 15 samples were taken, which are now being examined by laboratory techniques“. The first results should be available by Tuesday.

Already on Thursday had the supermarket chain „Edeka“ called the dumplings from the markets. The evening began to clear the goods from the shelves, as the retailer explained. According to information from the Heidelberg Health Department, bacteria from the Listeria strain were found in individual samples. The contamination exceeded the limit set at 100 Listeria per gram. Instead, 110 per gram Listeria (Listeria monocytogenes) were included. The authority stressed, however, that from a hygiene point of view, the Heidelberg food company is nothing to complain about. Just a week ago, the hygiene standards had been checked. In this control, no bacterial contamination was detected.

Listeria can cause flu-like symptoms
Listeria bacteria can cause an infectious disease known as listeriosis in infected people. Particularly immunocompromised persons such as infants, the chronically ill, pregnant women or newborns belong to the potentially endangered consumer group. In certain constellations, an infection can even be life-threatening. The course of the disease is symptomatically similar to influenza. First, patients suffer from diarrhea and abdominal pain. Thereafter, it comes to fever, headache, paralysis, body aches and dizziness.

The biggest problem is the timely diagnosis. Weeks may have passed between an infection and the onset of the disease. For this reason, sufferers should take the complaints seriously and go to the doctor. If Listeria is diagnosed as causative agent, an antibiotic therapy takes place.

A spokesperson for the Edeka stores explained that quality management now wants to clarify with the producer how to avoid contamination in the future. „By boiling, frying and pasteurizing the Listeria can be killed, provided that a temperature of 70 ° C in the core of the food was achieved for at least two minutes. On the other hand, when freezing foods, Listeria can survive“, was read today on the Edeka website as a reference.

Liver dumplings can be returned for a refund of the purchase price
According to Edeka, the meat production site has already delivered several hundred kilograms of liver dumplings. The liver dumplings were sold by Edeka Südwest Fleisch GmbH and offered for sale in Edeka stores in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Southern Hesse and Saarland. Consumers who have already bought dumplings are encouraged to avoid eating them. Instead, the product may be returned for reimbursement of the purchase price. A receipt is not essential. (Sb)