Three go on trial in Germany for deaths caused by listeria in meat

Three former senior employees of a German meat processing company went on trial in the city of Kassel on Monday accused of negligence in the deaths of 11 people who fell ill after consuming products infected with listeria.

The three, a former manager at the Wilke Waldecker company, his female deputy and a production manager, all aged between 55 and 58, are also accused of causing injury in a further seven cases in the scandal that broke almost seven years ago.

At the start of the trial, prosecutors accused the three of allowing meat products to be made "under catastrophic hygienic conditions," between 2015 and 2019, while it was clear to them that the produce was harmful.

They had failed to inform the authorities and to recall the products, prosecutors allege.

The Wilke sausage scandal is among the most serious food scandals of recent years in Germany. The Wilke company in Twistetal in the state of Hesse was closed down in October 2019 in response to the scandal.

Thirty-seven people are believed to have suffered listeriosis as a result, with the disease at least partially responsible for the deaths of 11 of them. Seven more suffered serious symptoms.

People with a weakened immune system are at greater risk. Many of those who died had been in care homes or hospitals supplied by the Wilke company.

The three accused face further charges in relation to the scandal. The court is currently expected to pass judgement on August 12.