The Health Department has warned the public to avoid all processed meat products that are sold as ready to eat.
Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, issued the warning on Sunday after an investigation confirmed late Saturday night that the ST6 strain of Listeriosis was confirmed at an Enterprise factory in Polokwane and in Germiston, where the stain of listeriosis has yet to be confirmed.
He said the strain of Listeria was isolated from over 30% of the environmental samples taken from the Polokwane site.
The Health Minister said that "to conclude the investigation, whole genome- sequencing analysis was performed from this Enterprise factory and the results became available at midnight on Saturday," he said.
He said the "outbreak strain, ST6 was confirmed in at least 16 environmental samples that were collected from this site (in Polokwane)," he said.
"We can now conclude scientifically that the source of the present outbreak is the Enterprise Food production facility in Polokwane. Additionally, preliminary results show that several ready-to-eat processed meat products from Enterprises facility in Germiston contained" Listeria, but he said the strain is still under investigation.
Motsoaledi said an investigation of the Rainbow Chicken Limited, Wolwehoek production facility in Sasolburg in the Free State also got underway where "polony products" also tested positive, but the sequence type has yet to be determined.
He said with the information at the Health Department's disposal it was decided that the National Consumer Commission issue the manufacturers concerned with "safety recall notices".
He said the NCC will prepare a recall strategy in conjunction with the manufacturers with further announcements to be made to the public in due course.
"The safety recall will affect manufacturers entire production networks, both domestic and international," he said.
Motsoaledi said when the recall is made, products produced for local and international markets will be recalled.
He said compliance notices will be issued to all affected facilities in terms of the National Health Act.
Minister Motsoaledi said that "as of 2 March 2018 the total of laboratory-confirmed cases of Listeriosis have risen to 948 cases. Of these 948 cases we've been able to trace 659 patients and unfortunately, 180 of them have demised."
