Austrian firm in financial difficulty following a deadly Listeria outbreak
The AKV, an association that protects the rights of creditors recognized by the Austrian authorities, handles bankruptcy cases in court.
Käserei Gloggnitz has reported that he has failed to meet his payment obligations. Bankruptcy proceedings have been opened in the district court of Wiener Neustadt. Hearings are scheduled for early February 2023.
According to AKV, the reason for the bankruptcy status is unknown. As such, the impact of the Listeria monocytogenes incident on the company is unknown.
As part of the proceedings, it should be confirmed whether the dairy producer will continue and be restructured, or whether existing assets will be inventoried and evaluated.
Outbreak and recall details
Bankruptcy proceedings concerning the company’s assets were already pending in the district court, but the restructuring plan could not be fully implemented.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has found 10 infections with the same Listeria strain since 2020. Between 2020 and 2022 he has three deaths. The disease broke out in Vienna. The patients were 6 females and 3 males, aged 29 to her 82 years, and 1 neonate.
Käserei Gloggnitz recalled all Kymak, drinking yogurt and cream cheese products in September due to possible Listeria contamination. Kaymak is a type of cheese.
Authorities have found Listeria monocytogenes consistent with the outbreak strain in three environmental samples taken from a company in Lower Austria. The outbreak strain was also detected in the food it produced. Items were used at restaurants mentioned in patient interviews.
The Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor’s office is also investigating the case.
Another listeria outbreak in Austria that emerged in mid-December has sickened four people. Chilled smoked mackerel from the Czech Republic is being considered as a potential source. An AGES spokesman said food officials were unable to provide further information as they were still investigating the incident.
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