The Biobío Regional Health Ministry (Seremi de Salud) decided to temporarily prohibit the operation of the Lácteos Matthei processing plant in the commune of Los Ángeles, in the Biobío region, following a health inspection carried out at the site.
Recently, on September 16, the Ministry of Health lifted a health alert after detecting the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Lot 2262907 AM of the brand's 250 g sliced mantecoso cheese.
The bacterium is the main cause of listeriosis, an illness that initially presents as a mild feverish condition but can progress to sepsis, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. In at-risk groups such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, it can cause more severe illness.
"Considering various positive results for Listeria monocytogenes in specific batches of cheese, as a consequence of four samplings carried out in September; due to the nature of the agent involved, its capacity to persist in food processing environments, and the clinical severity it causes in vulnerable groups, we have decided to temporarily prohibit the operation of the plant regarding the production of all products manufactured there, until the company implements corrective actions," declared the Biobío Regional Health Minister, Isabel Rojas.
This decision allows for the retention of...
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NationalThe measure will apply "until the implementation of corrective actions by the company is achieved," detailed the Biobío Health Seremi, Isabel Rojas. Minsal temporarily prohibits the operation of the Lácteos Matthei processing plant after repeated positive samples with listeria Prensa Seremi de Salud Biobío CommentsThe Health Seremi of the Biobío region determined to temporarily prohibit the operation of the Lácteos Matthei processing plant in the commune of Los Ángeles, in the Biobío region, following the completion of a health inspection at the site. Recently, on September 16, the Ministry of Health lifted a health alert after detecting the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Lot 2262907 AM of the brand's 250 g sliced mantecoso cheese. The bacteria is the main cause of listeriosis, an illness that initially presents as a mild feverish condition but can progress to sepsis, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. In at-risk groups such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, it can cause more severe conditions. Prensa Seremi de Salud Biobío "Considering various positive results for Listeria monocytogenes in specific batches of cheeses, as a consequence of four samplings carried out in September; due to the nature of the agent involved, its capacity for persistence in food processing environments, and the clinical severity it causes in vulnerable groups, we have determined the temporary prohibition of operation regarding the production of all products manufactured at the plant, until the implementation of corrective actions by the company is achieved," declared the Biobío Health Seremi, Isabel Rojas. This determination allows the plant's products to be retained to prevent their commercialization. In addition, the company is asked to submit a comprehensive technical report that makes it possible to determine the origin of the contamination, the causes that favored its persistence, and measures to prevent its occurrence. Other required measures are linked to the execution of an intensive cleaning program, the implementation of a microbiological surveillance program, new samplings, and the reevaluation of the Good Manufacturing Practices system. More about:HealthCheeseBiobío RegionMatthei CheeseListeria monocytogenesListeriaHealth SeremiMinsal