Kenya Bans Frozen Meat Importation From South Africa

Due to the outbreak of the listeriosis disease last week, Kenya has banned the importation of processed and frozen meat from South Africa.

The director of Public Health, Kepha Ombacho, has expressly urged the county and port of entry health officials to enforce the ban on both meat and meat products from Rainbow Chicken Limited and Enterprise Food Production Factory.

The embargo will affect products like Renown, Russian and Vienna, Bokkie, Lifestyle and Mieliekip and Polony.

According to the director, the Department of Public Health is working together with health officers across all over the country to ensure the success of the directive.

“The ministry will dispose of any of the banned products seized locally. The notification goes to the public as this is a matter of great concern. It doesn’t matter if the processed meat is found in kiosks or upmarket shops,” stated Dr Ombacho.

Some of the major supermarkets in the country including Carrefour, Tuskys and Naivas yielded no stocking of the banned products from South Africa.

Frank Moreau, the manager of Carrefour in Kenya said that it doesn’t have any direct dealings with the two South African companies as it only deals with local suppliers. “As a precautionary measure,” he added, “we have contacted the Directorate of Veterinary Services issuing licenses to suppliers and other companies to make it clear if our suppliers deal with the barred companies.”

Kenya isn’t the first country to do so. Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana have similar directives. They have banned the importation of meat from South Africa.

In South Africa, the Health Ministry issued warnings to the public asking them not to consume the meat products labelled as ready-to-eat. This is because the listeria bacterium has claimed 180 lives and more than 940 cases have been reported since the beginning of last year.

The poisoning by listeria is believed to have come from the Enterprise Food Products manufacturer in the northern city of Polokwane. The CEO of Tiger Brands owning the label claims there are no direct links between its products and the resultant deaths.

Dr Ombacho gave a requisition that all the banned product shouldn’t be sold and further importation be stopped. “Those that are already on the market should be recalled,” he added.