In 20172018, South Africa faced a deadly listeriosis outbreak caused by contaminated processed meats from a major factory, leading to over 1,000 infections and 200 deaths. This crisis shook the nation’s trust in food safety and exposed big companies’ failures to protect the public. Scientists used powerful DNA tools to trace the outbreak to one company, Tiger Brands, which after years of legal battles, began offering partial compensation to victims in 2025. The tragedy sparked a strong call for better food rules, corporate responsibility, and justice for all affected families. It remains a sharp reminder that keeping food safe is vital and must never be taken for granted.
