Fears more cheese is contaminated with deadly bug after two supermarkets pull products from shelves
PEOPLE have been warned not to eat any of Morrisons’ best taleggio after some blocks were discovered to be contaminated with listeria.
The supermarket first recalled a specific batch of the semi-soft cheese last week after it had come into contact with the potentially fatal bacteria.
Shortly after, Asda pulled its own version of the pasteurised cheese from shelves after the same bacteria was found in some of its own products.
Today, Morrisons extended the “do not eat” warning to all batches of the cheese, described as fruity, mild and tangy.
The shop recalled it as a “precautionary action”, “because listeria monocytogenes has been found in the product”, the Food Safety Agency (FSA) said.
Products included in the recall include all 200g packs of the best taleggio cheese.
Those at risk from listeria
Listeriosis is a rare food-borne illness and could be particularly deadly to people with weakened immune systems or those over 65.
Pregnant women and their unborn babies – as well as tots who are less than a month old – are also at risk of severe illness.
If you happen to eat food contaminated with listeria, the bacteria can at first cause symptoms resembling the flu.
The illness will usually go away on its own after a few days, helped along by rest and drinking plenty of fluids.
But the FSA warned that “in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis”.
The NHS said: “If you get listeriosis while you’re pregnant, there is a risk it could cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
“In babies and people with a weakened immune system, listeriosis can sometimes lead to serious and life-threatening problems such as sepsis or meningitis.”
People at risk of serious illness should contact 111 immediately if they believe they have listeriosis.
You may need a blood test to determine if you’ve been infected.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you experience more severe symptoms.
What do to with affected cheese
The FSA advised anyone who has purchased the cheese to return it to the store for a full refund.
“We don’t need a receipt,” a Morrisons product recall notice stated.
It added that no other products had been affected by this issue.
Throughout 2021, 160 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales, according to recent data release by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Twenty-two people passed away after suffering from the nasty illness.
Rates were highest among people aged 80 years and over, while a fifth of all infections occurred in pregnant mums.
There were three listeriosis outbreaks investigated in England and Wales in 2021, including a national outbreak associated with smoked fish.
More recently, listeria bacteria was spotted in chorizo sold at Sainsbury’s.
How to avoid listeriosis
WHILE you can't help it if supermarket food you buy is found to contain listeria monocytogenes, there are some things you can do to avoid it at home.
These include:
- Keeping chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold (in the fridge at 5C or below)
- Consume ready-to-eat foods within four hours of taking them out of the fridge
- Eat, cook or freeze foods by their ‘use by’ date
- Follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within two days (unless the packaging says otherwise)
- Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate
- Follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they’re steaming hot right through
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
You should also avoid certain foods completely if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. These include:
- Ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish products (e.g. smoked salmon or gravlax)
- Uncooked soft cheese (including brie and Camembert)
- Pâté
- Unpasteurised milk or dairy products
- Any under-cooked food
Source: NHS