Frozen vegetables contaminated with listeria. The Belgian Greenyard group is one of the main suppliers of fruit and vegetables in the world. Its frozen frozen factory in Hungary, contaminated by the listeria bacteria, had to close its doors.
In France, the health authorities, fearing contamination, have recalled several products. The General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has published the list of the products concerned. Since June 15, 2018, the strain of the listeria bacteria is responsible for 9 deaths and has infected 47 other people in Europe, according to the European health agency Efsa.
A severe foodborne infection
Many French supermarkets are affected by this recall such as Lidl, Carrefour, Auchan, Leclerc or even Intermarché. No case has yet been identified in France, but consumers are encouraged to bring the products back to the store or throw them away as a precaution.
Listeriosis is a serious, food-borne infection. According to the national health security agency, it is fatal in 20 to 30% of cases and requires hospitalization in 92% of them. It is caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.
Symptoms (fever, headache, digestive disorders …) can appear up to 8 weeks after infection. It can lead to sepsis or central nervous system infection. Fragile people such as those aged 80 and over, suffering from illnesses or heavy treatments are particularly at risk. In pregnant women, the infection can cause the baby to die.
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