Lynca Meats has noted with great concern the announcement by the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, that processed meat was the source of South Africa’s latest and worst Listeriosis outbreak on record.
Lynca Meats prioritises the health and safety of consumers above all else. Since the confirmed outbreak of Listeriosis by the Department of Health, the Company has proactively amplified its testing for Listeria of raw materials and finished goods and also introduced additional hygiene monitoring of our processes, equipment, storage and waste areas at our facilities. Our testing for Listeria through a reputable SANAS accredited laboratory, Microchem Lab Services, has been amplified to include weekly testing of water consumed/used within product, hygiene compliance of our personnel, raw material procured and final product produced. All tests conducted to date have proved that Lynca Meats is clean of Listeria Monocytogenes. Should you require the results of these micro tests we will gladly furnish you with these as a matter of urgency.
Furthermore, we recently have been inspected Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (“DAFF”). Their independent testing of our facility concluded that our facility is clean of Listeria Monocytogenes.
From a food safety and quality perspective, Lynca Meats is one of the highest accredited facilities of its kind in Africa. As a FSSC22000 and export certified company, we follow the strictest disciplines to ensure our product is safe from any possible microbiological contamination.
In conjunction with our food safety standards, we urge all food establishments to monitor and maintain their own food hygiene systems and proper food preparation protocols to ensure food and processed meat products are cooked to recommended core temperatures and for the recommended time.
We remind you that Listeria bacterium is killed during an effective cooking process and to always maintain the cold chain and keep food at recommended temperatures throughout its shelf life.
Assuring you of our continued ongoing commitment to food safety and quality products.
Yours sincerely
Brent Fairlie
Director (CEO)
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