South Africa: Woolworths is recalling rice over fears of Listeria

Woolworths South Africa has recalled its Savory Rice Mix product after one of its suppliers was identified as the likely source of a Listeria outbreak in Europe.  This after Greenyard Factory recalled all frozen vegetable products made at its plant in Hungary "due to potential Listeria contamination".
The factory supplies sweetcorn used in Woolworths’ rice mix. Woolworths said the recall is purely a precautionary measure on the global instruction of the Hungarian Food Safety Agency.
“Listeria bacteria are easily destroyed by cooking. The Frozen Savoury Rice Mix product is uncooked and frozen and so requires cooking before consumption,” the retailer said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
It said none of its other frozen sweetcorn or vegetable products is believed to be affected. Over 200 people, including 80 babies, died in South Africa since a Listeria outbreak was confirmed. The outbreak was linked to Enterprise facilities in Polokwane and Germiston which produced cold meats, including Woolworths’ beloved Salami sticks.
Listeriosis, caused by Listeria, is a flu-like disease which weakens the immune systems and causes fever muscles aches and diarrhoea.