SA: Tests reveal traces of deadly listeria at Conroy's factory

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2005
SA: Tests reveal traces of deadly listeria at Conroy's factory

ADELAIDE, Dec 18 AAP - Tests have shown an Adelaide smallgoods factory remains contaminated
with a potentially deadly strain of listeria.

Independent tests conducted by the Adelaide Microbiology Service found traces of the
harmful bacteria in a drain and on a conveyor belt at Conroy's Smallgoods factory at Bowden,
in the city's inner north.

The bacteria was detected despite more than a week of heavy duty cleaning at the factory.

On Friday, the South Australian health department confirmed that listeria monocytogenes,
found in Conroy's Smallgoods corned beef and on its equipment at the Bowden plant, had
the same molecular structure as the listeria found in the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

Two people have died as a result of contracting listeria in South Australian hospitals,
a health department spokeswoman told AAP.

Richard Formosa, 53, who has diabetes, died on October 31 while receiving treatment at the RAH.

Another person, whose identity has not been revealed, died at Gawler Hospital on November 2.

The spokeswoman said two women were also recovering from listeria.

"They are both at home and are recovering well," the spokeswoman said.

At a press conference at the Conroy's factory, joint managing director Pat Conroy rejected
any suggestions the company was liable for Mr Formosa's death.

"I accept no responsibility for Mr Formosa's death, in this respect that our product
was supplied to a third party who then supplied it to the hospital who then processed
in a different way in their kitchen," he said.

Mr Conroy said the latest results were a great disappointment but he was confident
the company still has a future in South Australia.

"I am still confident that will take place but obviously every setback makes that more
difficult," he said.

It is understood the listeria outbreak, which has caused the company to lay off staff,
has cost Conroy's about $2 million.

"Conroy's will not even think about a re-start to production until we have eliminated
this listeria," Mr Conroy said.

To allay the concerns of the public and salvage their reputation, Conroy's published
a letter from Andrew and Patrick Conroy in today's Sunday Mail newspaper.

"The Conroy family is saddened by the deaths of hospital patients following listeria
infections and extends its heartfelt sympathies to their families and friends," the item
said.

"We are committed to rising up from this disaster."

Further testing will be conducted at the Conroy's factory tomorrow.

AAP baw/cat/sd

KEYWORD: LISTERIA

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