Listeria scandal Several deaths from dangerous bacteria in frozen foods

Europe-wide food contamination with Listeria bacteria

At present, the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety informs about a recall at Lidl because of dangerous Listeria bacteria in the vegetable mix. The "Freshona Frozen Vegetable Mix" by the Belgian company Greenyard Frozen is not the only one affected. As currently reported throughout Europe, not only Germany is affected by Listeria in frozen vegetables. Nine deaths have already been reported in England, which apparently consumed frozen sweetcorn from the English subsidiary Greenyard Frozen UK.

Greenyard Frozen UK is responding with a drastic recall call and recalls 49 different frozen foods with shelf life data until 2020. This is the result of a food warning issued by the English authorities by the Food Standards Agency. According to Greenyard Frozen UK, this step was taken as a precautionary measure, as it can not be ruled out that Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are found in the various frozen vegetable products. Additional recalls could also be made in Germany and other EU countries.

In frozen vegetable products Listeria bacteria appear again and again. At present, a major outbreak is raging in five EU countries. (Image: New Africa / fotolia.com)

English authorities respond to Europe-wide outbreak

The British authorities Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland, Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland have already published a precautionary advice on cooking frozen vegetables following the Europe-wide listeriosis outbreak. In a joint press release they inform about the correct handling of frozen vegetables.

This reduces the risk of listeriosis

The English authorities strongly suggest that most frozen vegetables, including corn, must be cooked before consumption. This also applies if the ingredients are used in cold dishes such as salads, smoothies or dips. Always take the manufacturer's information into account. If a product is not labeled as ready to eat, the products should never be consumed uncooked.

Five European countries are already affected

According to the English authorities, frozen sweetcorn is the likely source of the ongoing listeriosis outbreak, which has already reached five European countries. The products were contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can trigger listeriosis. In particular, for people with weakened immune systems as well as for the elderly, pregnant women and infants, this disease can be very serious and in the worst case even fatal.

European Food Authority on alert

The European Food Authority (efsa) states in a press release that the bacterial strains are the same ones that have repeatedly appeared in frozen vegetables in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Carried out cleaning and disinfection measures in the appropriate processing plants have not achieved the desired effects.

Is a Hungarian factory the origin??

According to the efsa, the contamination originates from a Hungarian plant. Further investigations, including full sampling and testing, are underway to determine the exact levels of environmental contamination. Other companies in the same trading group could also be affected.

The Hungarian office stops production

According to efsa, on June 29, 2018, the Hungarian Office stopped all production of frozen vegetable and mixed vegetable products in the plant and banned the marketing of all relevant products of the affected plant, which were manufactured between August 2016 and June 2018. Furthermore, redemptions and recall were ordered with immediate effect. In addition, until further notice, all freezing activities in the facility were prohibited.

Long incubation period of listeriosis

As the efsa states, listeriosis can result in a long incubation period of up to 70 days. For this reason, it can not be ruled out that new listeriosis cases can still occur. (Vb)