The government identified the cold meat polony as the source of the listeria poisoning - but advised consumers to avoid all ready-to-eat processed meat.

Customers have descended on the factories that made the polony, to demand a refund.

The outbreak was finally traced after infecting people for more than a year.

It is believed to have originated in an Enterprise Food factory in the northern city of Polokwane. A plant owned by RCL Foods is also under suspicion. Both firms have suspended meat production.

There have been 948 cases of listeria poisoning reported since January 2017, according to Reuters.

The United Nations says it is believed to be the largest outbreak ever, worldwide.

In some people the disease - known as listeriosis - causes high temperatures, vomiting and diarrhoea. The elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and babies - both in the womb and newborn - are particularly vulnerable.

Some 180 of those infected have died.

Health authorities ordered a recall of polony, prompting supermarkets like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar and Woolworths to clear it from their shelves, along with bacon, sausages and other processed meat products.

Consumers who stored polony products in their fridges were advised to disinfect them with diluted bleach.

Read more on BBC.