The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has warned the Ugandan public against the importation and consumption of meat from South Africa, saying it is not safe right now.
“The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) would like to notify the public on importation, sale and consumption of South African processed meat products after a Listeriosis (listeria) outbreak linked to pre-packaged and ready-to-eat meat products. This outbreak has so far killed 180 people in South Africa,” reads part of the notice.
According to UNBS, some of the suspected pre-packaged products from South Africa include ready-to-eat deli meats (polony, ham, salami,), hot dogs, refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads and sausages.
To ensure the health and safety of the public, UNBS indicated it is carrying out market surveillance inspections in all super markets that are said to be main importers of South African meat products, aimed at removing the affected products from the market.
‘Analysis of related products is also being carried out to ensure there has been no cross-contamination’, says the notice.
As a result, UNBS imports inspectors at all border points have been notified to withhold consignments of all pre-packaged and ready-to-eat meat products from South Africa until further notice.
UNBS would therefore like to call upon consumers to avoid buying the above mentioned products originating from South Africa until they have been cleared by UNBS.
According to UNBS, it is mandated to enforce standards to protect consumer health and safety and the environment against dangerous and sub-standard products.
