Sokol Meqemeja, the representative of the company, “Frigo Food” that imports “Wudy” sausages in Albania, said that the problem with this food was discovered in a factory in Italy.

During an interview for Euronews Albania’s ‘SOT’, Meqemeja spoke about how the Italian Ministry of Agriculture is looking at the production lot where the problem appeared in the first place, which has now been closed.

“The problem was discovered by the factory itself, and it was reported by the factory itself. The Italian Minister of Agriculture was called to review the equipment, the whole procedure was carried out immediately after; the specific lot of the factory where the bacteria were discovered was immediately shut down.

“The problem was discovered by the factory itself, the factory itself denounced it. The Italian Minister of Agriculture was called to the factory, the whole procedure was done, and this lot of the factory was blocked. It is a company that is consumed by at least 65% of the population in the Italian market, serving at least 50 million Italians each year as well as citizens in Germany and the Netherlands.

We’ve even received a call from the factory in Italy, asking us if people had died in Albania. I was notified a day before AKU, by the parent company. I have spoken to the factory in Italy, they told me that the lots we are receiving are safe and that we shouldn’t worry as the ones that had issues are now blocked and taken out of the market,” – he said.

The National Food Authority announced that the presence of “Listeria monocytogenes STI55” has been detected in “Wudy” food products, constituting a serious health risk which is why citizens should take precautions as to not consume these products until further notice.