Belarusian Meat Products Found to Contain Salmonella and Listeria

Rosselkhoznadzor Issues Warning to Consumers

The Russian agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has detected the presence of salmonella and listeria bacteria in meat products imported from Belarus. The agency has issued a warning to consumers, advising them to avoid purchasing and consuming certain brands of chicken and beef from Belarus.

Affected Products

The following brands of Belarusian meat products have been found to contain harmful bacteria:

• Chicken carcasses from Vitebsk Poultry Factory
• Chicken carcasses from Brest Broiler Poultry Factory
• Beef carcasses from Bobruisk Meat Packing Plant
• Beef carcasses from Gomel Meat Packing Plant

Health Risks

Salmonella and listeria are both potentially harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in humans. Salmonella can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, while listeria can cause more severe infections, particularly in pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Consumer Advice

Rosselkhoznadzor strongly advises consumers to avoid purchasing and consuming the affected brands of Belarusian meat products. Consumers who have already purchased these products are advised to discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Enforcement Measures

Rosselkhoznadzor has taken steps to prevent the further import of contaminated meat products from Belarus. The agency has suspended the import of poultry and beef from the affected companies and is conducting additional inspections to ensure the safety of imported meat products.

Industry Response

The Belarusian meat industry has expressed concern over the allegations and has assured consumers that their products are safe and meet all necessary quality standards. The industry is cooperating with Rosselkhoznadzor to investigate the contamination and resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Consumers are urged to be cautious when purchasing meat products from Belarus and to check the product labels carefully. Rosselkhoznadzor will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.