Zambia has banned the import of processed meat products, including polony, sausages and ham, from South Africa (SA) to safeguard citizens from contracting listeriosis, which broke out in SA last October.

Listeriosis is a disease caused by infection with listeria, with pregnant women, elderly people, children, and immune compromised adults being most vulnerable.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya, who announced the ban on Monday at a media briefing, also ordered SA chain stores Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Game and others to remove processed meat products from their shelves.

“In addition to the ban and removal of products from the shelves, we are conducting intense food surveillance nationwide to ascertain the risk of listeria bacteria,” Chilufya said. No cases have been reported in Zambia.

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