According to AGES, previous surveys in connection with eight Listeria diseases that have occurred in Vienna since 2020, three of them fatalities, point to the operation in Lower Austria. The company rejected the allegations: “The fault is not with us,” said Ivan Velicic from the Gloggnitz cheese dairy on Saturday to the APA. The company is checked regularly, “the food inspector is with us once a month,” emphasized Velicic when asked. Own samples were unremarkable. Listeria was found in a restaurant in Vienna where cheese products were offered.
Production in Gloggnitz continues, reported Velicic. The main customers are wholesalers, but the products are also marketed directly. The cheese factory produces dairy products such as spread (kajmak), cheese, yoghurt and paprika according to a traditional recipe from Serbia, according to the website.
The cheese dairy recalled kajmak, drinking yoghurt and cream cheese on Friday, these products should not be consumed. “The reason is a possible health hazard due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes,” it said.
Diseases attributed to the same Listeria strain
Routine cluster analyzes carried out by the Agency for Health and Food Safety showed that eight diseases that have occurred since 2020 can be traced back to an identical strain of Listeria. According to AGES, the source of the listeria disease has only now been traced back. The food supervisory authority of the state of Lower Austria has initiated measures: Products that have already been delivered are now being recalled by the company, newly produced products may only be placed on the market after a negative report on Listeria has been obtained and after approval by the food supervisory authority.
In Lower Austria, food supervision is carried out by the Department of Veterinary Affairs and Food Control. “If deficiencies are found during inspections, the company concerned is required to remedy the deficiencies identified. Depending on the severity of the deficiencies identified, further inspections or measures are carried out, which can lead to the closure of the company,” explained department head Christina Riedl. The inspection intervals and the criteria in the supervision of food companies are specified by the Ministry of Health.
Source: Nachrichten
