Early listeria result unlikely at Hawke's Bay Hospital
An investigation into the presence of fatal listeria bacteria found on meat at Hawke's Bay Hospital this year is continuing.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into pre-cooked ready-to-eat meat supplied to the Hastings hospital by Napier company Bay Cuisine was launched after two women died after contracting the illness.
The food-processing company issued a voluntary recall of its products in July after traces of the bacteria were found on meat supplied by it to the hospital.
An MPI spokesperson said the investigation was still ongoing and was not looking likely to conclude before Christmas. That investigation was yet to uncover the food source, or sources, that triggered the outbreak.
The two elderly immune-compromised women died after contracting the illness between May and July. Two other people had since recovered.
