ANSVSA communicates that no Listeria bacterium has been found in the products checked in the laboratory after the European alert.
None of the samples of frozen fruit and vegetables checked in the laboratory by the National Health and Veterinary Authority contained traces of the bacterium Listeria, the president of the institute, Geronimo Brănescu, told the RRA today.
He explained that Romania had not even been informed through the European system of this danger, and all measures in the country were taken in advance both by the shops and by the authorities.
Geronimo Branescu: Until now, Romania has not been informed through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed about any risk in this form. In accordance with the precautionary principle, the importing companies proceeded with the voluntary withdrawal from the market of the products belonging to this company. Furthermore, ANSVSA has taken steps from these products subject to voluntary withdrawal, in order to have extra safety. Up to now, the analyzes carried out on these products have not shown the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
ANSVSA examined frozen samples of trimmed green beans, broccoli, pepper strips, sweet corn and Mexican mixed greens. Listeria contamination of frozen fruit and vegetables has led to the death of nine people in several European countries.
In our country, as a precaution, in addition to withdrawing products, several large chain stores have asked their customers to return frozen fruit and vegetables.
The list of supermarkets and products that can be returned to the points of sale is on the website of the National Health and Veterinary Authority, in the food collection section.
