The Food and Drugs Authority(FDA) has warned the public against consuming two brands of contaminated sausages.
Agricola Tre Vali sausage products, AIA Wudy and Pavo brands, made from poultry, have been recalled by Italian authorities due to the presence of Listeria bacteria.
According to a statement released by FDA, “Two batches with codes 1785417 and 01810919 with expiration date November 30, 2022, are implicated.”
The statement said that so far, no AIA Wudy sausages have been found on the Ghanaian market and urged persons possessing these products to return them to FDA offices.
“The FDA directs that anyone in possession of the above-mentioned products should immediately take them to either our Head Office or Regional Offices across the country.”
FDA further added that following the recall activities ongoing in Europe and other countries, it has also conducted a market surveillance activity. Pavo Frankfurt sausages with an expiry date of November 2022 were found in Ho in the Volta Region.
“The products have since been detained for safe disposal.”
“The FDA wishes to assure the public that its surveillance teams continue to monitor the markets for any of the above-mentioned products,” the statement concluded.
Listeria causes a bacterial infection that can be very dangerous for pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with weakened immune systems.
Three people have died, and more than 60 have fallen ill in a severe Listeria outbreak in Italy.
Investigations have revealed a connection between some of the 66 patients and the presence of Listeria in sausages made with poultry produced by Agricola Tre Valli after sampling at the plant.
The company has withdrawn two batches that tested positive. These have codes 1785417 and 01810919.
Listeria was also detected during environmental sampling at the factory, so products made before September 12 have been recalled.