JSE-listed food producer Tiger Brands remains under scrutiny as it faces renewed pressure from victims of the world’s deadliest listeriosis outbreak. The listeria bacterium contamination, which unfolded between 2017 and 2018, claimed 218 lives after more than 1,000 people fell ill.
The company’s Polokwane factory was identified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) as the outbreak’s source. Six years later, the class action lawsuit brought by victims and their families remains unresolved, highlighting the lingering consequences of inadequate food safety measures.
The responsibility to ensure products are safe for consumers has grown more urgent in the wake of a recent spate of food poisoning, particularly incidents involving school children. As at November 11, at least 23 people — mostly children in Gauteng — had died of food-related poisoning after consuming products bought from spaza shops.
With schools reopening for the 2025 academic year food safety is at the forefront. Concerned consumers are asking themselves if SA’s food supply chain is safe.
While Tiger Brands has not admitted liability for the listeriosis outbreak, its annual report suggests the company has taken steps to enhance food safety and quality systems. Are these measures sufficient?
In a world increasingly driven by technological solutions, digital food safety tools offer the potential to transform how food producers manage safety and regulatory compliance. For Tiger Brands, the adoption and advancement of digital food safety could prove pivotal in restoring consumer trust and preventing future crises.
Digital food safety tools have the power to streamline processes, reduce errors and monitor critical control points in real time. These digital tools enable food producers to track the supply chain. This ensures transparency and allows for quick identification of contamination sources in case of recalls.
By demonstrating a commitment to food safety, companies can promote transparency and reassure consumers of their brand’s reliability. These benefits are not just theoretical. The ability to detect and address safety issues early can help companies avoid costly recalls, legal penalties and irreparable reputational damage.
For Tiger Brands, whose reputation has suffered from the listeriosis scandal, the implementation of digital food safety systems could be a critical step towards redemption. The group's annual report for 2024 sheds light on its efforts to enhance its food safety and quality systems. Notably, the company has embarked on a three-year initiative to implement a digital food safety and quality management system.
According to CEO Tjaart Kruger, the first phase is nearly complete, with 98% of key modules developed. Phase two, now 47% implemented, aims to extend the system’s reach to facilities such as the Chococam factory in Cameroon.
The key modules developed so far include supplier quality management, incoming materials inspection management, internal audits and self-assessments, complaints management and nonconformance management.
These advancements are promising, but challenges remain. In the first quarter of 2024 Tiger Brands reported a 25% increase in customer complaints compared to the same period the previous year. The company’s response included site-specific action plans and weekly oversight meetings, resulting in a 4% decrease in complaints per million units sold by year-end.
Despite these improvements, the question lingers: can Tiger Brands do more? The spectre of listeriosis continues to haunt Tiger Brands, emphasising the need for robust and foolproof food safety measures.
Digital food safety tools, combined with a culture of accountability and proactive risk management, could be the answer. By leveraging technology to monitor and manage food safety in real time, Tiger Brands can ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations.
The company can build consumer confidence through transparency and consistent quality. It can also help to mitigate risks of contamination and foodborne illness outbreaks. Digital tools can enhance Tiger Brands’ ability to track and address noncompliance issues, not only within its operations but also among suppliers.
As Tiger Brands continues to roll out its digital food safety system, the company must prioritise implementation. For Tiger Brands the implementation of digital food safety systems represents more than just a technological upgrade, it is an opportunity to rebuild trust and secure its future.
Millions of consumers rely on the company’s products daily, and any lapse in safety or quality can have devastating consequences. As the second year of Tiger Brands’ digital food safety initiative progresses, there is hope that these efforts will prevent a recurrence of the tragedy that unfolded in 2017 and 2018.
However, the company must remain vigilant and committed to continuous improvement. By embracing digital solutions and prioritising transparency, Tiger Brands can demonstrate that it has learnt from the past and is dedicated to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its consumers.
That said, Tiger Brands must accept liability for the devastating listeriosis outbreak and settle the class-action lawsuit it faces.
• Lourie is founder and editor of TechFinancials.
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