Death from food germs: Wilke sausage scandal trial begins
A good six and a half years after the scandal over listeria-contaminated meat products from the Wilke Waldecker Fleisch- und Wurstwaren company in Twistetal in northern Hesse begins on Monday (9.30 a.m.). kassel the process. Two 57 and 58-year-old men and a 55-year-old woman are accused of, among other things, negligent homicide in eleven cases. They are the former managing director of the factory, his deputy and the then production manager.
Eleven deaths are said to be related to products
The company in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district was closed in October 2019 after listeria germs were detected in its sausage. Desolate hygienic conditions are said to have prevailed in the company. The public prosecutor’s office accuses the defendants of being responsible for the fact that sausage products contaminated with listeria were put on the market and that dozens of people became ill with listeriosis.
Health authorities then reported a total of 37 cases of illness that were linked to Wilke products. Listeriosis is said to have been at least a contributing factor in the death of eleven people. The germs can be life-threatening if the immune system is weakened. Seven people are said to have developed significant symptoms of the disease.
Public prosecutor’s office: Damage to health accepted
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the fatalities between the ages of 47 and 86 came from North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Berlin and Saarland. Many of the deceased had previously stayed in nursing facilities or clinics that were supplied by Wilke.
The public prosecutor’s office accuses the three defendants of having “knowledge of the poor hygienic production conditions and the improper handling of overstocked and spoiled goods”. They continued to produce and process the goods and accepted the damage to consumers’ health.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, there is also a suspicion that some spoiled goods were processed and that overstocked goods were given an incorrect best-before date and put on the market.
Accusation of negligent homicide
Specifically, the defendants are accused of negligent homicide in eleven cases and negligent bodily harm in seven cases. In addition, the charges include supplying substances that are hazardous to health in four cases, fraud in 17 cases and placing food on the market that is hazardous to health in 18 cases. The then managing director and his deputy also have to answer for four counts of attempted bodily harm by omission.
A total of 15 days of trial are currently scheduled at the Kassel Regional Court before the 2nd (Commercial) Criminal Chamber. A verdict would then be expected on August 12th.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:260706-930-338868/1