Cameroon recalls Serrano ham over Listeria contamination alert
CAMEROON – The Cameroonian Ministry of Livestock has ordered the immediate recall of a ham product sold in local supermarkets due to contamination concerns.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries issued a notice to regional officials following a European alert regarding a batch of ham imported from Spain.
The product in question, labeled as “Jambon Serrano STG, 10 months of minimum aging, six slices, 100g,” was distributed by Sodicam and sold in Casino supermarkets.
It is suspected of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria responsible for listeriosis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), listeriosis is an infection primarily spread through consuming cold cuts and ready-to-eat meats, such as cured or cooked meats, soft cheeses, and cold-smoked fish.
The infection can have serious health effects, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, including individuals with HIV, cancer, or those undergoing kidney transplants or steroid treatment.
The Ministry’s alert follows a report from Casino, which notified French authorities about the contamination of its Serrano ham with Listeria monocytogenes.
The European Union’s rapid alert system was activated as a result. Besides Cameroon, the contaminated product was also shipped to Lebanon, Madagascar, and Senegal.
In response, the minister called on regional veterinary health officers to increase inspections across all facilities involved in importing, storing, distributing, and selling these products to prevent further health risks.
Cameroon’s pork industry is projected to see a slight rise in production, with an expected 0.9% growth over the next five years, according to a recent report.
Since 1966, the country’s pig production has increased by 1.2% annually. However, pork consumption in the country is expected to decline by 0.6% each year until 2026. Since 2017, pork demand in Cameroon has dropped by 1% annually.
In 2021, Cameroon ranked 81st globally in pork consumption, while Bosnia and Herzegovina surpassed it with 32,000 metric tons. The top consumers remain the United States, Russia, and Vietnam, in second, third, and fourth place, respectively.
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Cameroon recalls Serrano ham over Listeria contamination alert
CAMEROON – The Cameroonian Ministry of Livestock has ordered the immediate recall of a ham product sold in local supermarkets due to contamination concerns.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries issued a notice to regional officials following a European alert regarding a batch of ham imported from Spain.
The product in question, labeled as “Jambon Serrano STG, 10 months of minimum aging, six slices, 100g,” was distributed by Sodicam and sold in Casino supermarkets.
It is suspected of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria responsible for listeriosis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), listeriosis is an infection primarily spread through consuming cold cuts and ready-to-eat meats, such as cured or cooked meats, soft cheeses, and cold-smoked fish.
The infection can have serious health effects, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, including individuals with HIV, cancer, or those undergoing kidney transplants or steroid treatment.
The Ministry’s alert follows a report from Casino, which notified French authorities about the contamination of its Serrano ham with Listeria monocytogenes.
The European Union’s rapid alert system was activated as a result. Besides Cameroon, the contaminated product was also shipped to Lebanon, Madagascar, and Senegal.
In response, the minister called on regional veterinary health officers to increase inspections across all facilities involved in importing, storing, distributing, and selling these products to prevent further health risks.
Cameroon’s pork industry is projected to see a slight rise in production, with an expected 0.9% growth over the next five years, according to a recent report.
Since 1966, the country’s pig production has increased by 1.2% annually.
However, pork consumption in the country is expected to decline by 0.6% each year until 2026.
Since 2017, pork demand in Cameroon has dropped by 1% annually.
In 2021, Cameroon ranked 81st globally in pork consumption, while Bosnia and Herzegovina surpassed it with 32,000 metric tons.
The top consumers remain the United States, Russia, and Vietnam, in second, third, and fourth place, respectively.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE
