Nigeria issues alert of poisonous food outbreak in South Africa

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has issued a poisonous food outbreak in South Africa.

Adewole identified the poisonous food as listeriosis.

Listeriosis is food poisoning caused by eating food items such as meats, dairy products,  fruits and vegetables contaminated by Listeria Monocystogene.

Adewole thus advised Nigerians to wash their fruits and vegetables properly and ensure meats are well cooked before consumption.

Adewole called for increased vigilance at the points of entry into the country by the relevant officials, while directing the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control to increase their surveillance and monitoring of food items to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.

The Port Health Officials have also been put on alert.

“Nigerians are advised to be calm as the Federal Government is monitoring the development in South Africa and would be properly advised when need be,” a statement by Boade Akinola, the Director, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, on Saturday said.