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Following a case of listeriosis in
metropolitan Santiago
that apparently had consumed “Brie Lescure”
cheese from the Chevrita company, Metropolitan
sanitary authorities ordered the product to be cleared from store shelves
while epidemiologic lab tests were done on some samples taken at random.
Chevrita in the release points out that the
possible relation of the “listeriosis” case with
the Brie Lescure cheese still has to be proved
and the sanitary decision was “only preventive”.
Although the company admits that authorities have ordered the lab tests, it
also points out that the listeriosis case person
consumed the special brand of cheese “as well as other foods, it was not
the only consumption”.
Chevrita insists that all its dairy products are
elaborated with pasteurized milk and the listeria
bacteria can’t survive such process in normal conditions.
Therefore cheese samples are being lab tested and only once the results are
made available can it be confirmed the possibility of links and the
necessary measures.
According to Chevrita the withdrawal of goods
from the shelves is a normal procedure when the health of humans is
involved.
Finally the company requests supermarkets to wait for the official results
from the Health Ministry before taking any drastic action.
Chevrita according to the Santiago press began operations in 1994
and is the only dairy company certified to produce and export goat milk
products.
It has an annual production of 260 tons of goat cheese and has a daily
reception between 5.000 and 7.000 litres of milk.
Listeriosis is described as a bacterial infection
caused by a gram-positive, motile bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeriosis is relatively rare and occurs primarily
in newborn infants, elderly patients, and patients who are immuno-compromised.
In veterinary medicine, however, listerioris can
be a quite common condition in some farm outbreaks. It can also be found in
wild animals
The main route of acquisition of Listeria is through the ingestion of
contaminated food products. Listeria has been isolated from raw meat, dairy
products, vegetables, and seafood. Soft cheeses, un-pasteurized milk and
un-pasteurised paté are
potential dangers; however, some outbreaks involving post-pasteurized milk
have been reported.
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