The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent warning to people about consuming Baronet semi-soft cheeses which have been recalled - after a listeria outbreak has led to one person dying in the UK.
The FSA yesterday, as well as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted that there are 'exceptionally high levels' of the bacteria in some of the products.
It comes after an alert which came from the FSA on Monday, notifying consumers that The Old Cheese Room - a manufacturer in Wiltshire - was extending a recall on Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet Soft Cheeses through listeria monocytogenes being discovered in some batches.
Read more: Supermarket warnings as products are recalled from stores including Asda, Morrisons and Iceland
The PA News Agency reports that packs thought to be affected include those which weigh 1kg, 270g and 200g, and have best before dates of March 21 and 22, as well as April 4, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 18. The UKHSA, which is the Government agency responsible for public death, has identified at least three listeria cases potentially linked to the outbreak.
They also confirmed that one person has died from the bacteria.
The UKHSA guidance, reads: “Baronet cheese is sold in both small individual rounds and as 1kg wheels. The cheeses are sometimes served sliced from a deli counter, so it may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product.
“If in doubt, consumers are advised to contact the retailer they bought their cheese from to find out if the Baronet cheese they have purchased is from the batches affected and in the meantime to not eat the product.”
The UKHSA went on to say that: “There is no confirmation that Baronet is the cause of this outbreak”.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at FSA, added: “Due to the outbreak of listeria monocytgenes linked to Baronet semi-soft cheese, we are urging consumers who are vulnerable to listeria infection – including people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems – to ensure they follow the advice in the product recall notices, which details all of the products which may pose a risk.
“We are also asking people to make sure that elderly relatives who may have purchased the recalled items, and who are at particular risk, are aware of the recall and observe the advice.”
Richard Elson, head of incidents and response at UKHSA, said: “Listeriosis is a rare infection and most people will only experience mild symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhoea, which usually pass within a few days without the need for treatment. But people with weakened immune systems, who are pregnant or are infants or elderly are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms.
“If you are in a group who are at higher risk of severe symptoms, there is information on the NHS website about what foods to avoid and what to do if you think you have listeriosis.”
The Old Cheese Room, said: “We are working closely with our local environmental health officer and the Food Standards Agency, and will continue to do so. As a responsible cheesemaker, we carry out regular cleaning, disinfecting and swab testing of our making and ripening rooms.
“Since the test that showed a trace of listeria monocytogenes in Baronet, we have changed our monthly testing regime to positive release, this means that we test every batch of cheese before it leaves us. None of our other cheeses have been affected by this.”
What are the signs and symptoms of listeriosis?
According to the NHS, the signs and symptoms of listeriosis are -
- A high temperature of 38C or above
- Aches and pains
- Chills
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea
You should call 111 for advice if -
- You're pregnant and think you have listeriosis
- You have a condition that weakens your immune system (like cancer or kidney disease) and think you have listeriosis
- You're having treatment that weakens your immune system (like chemotherapy or steroid tablets) and think you have listeriosis
- You think your baby might have listeriosis
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. If you're pregnant, you can also call your midwife for advice.
You should call 999 immediately if you or your child -
- Have a severe headache and stiff neck
- Find it uncomfortable to look at bright lights
- Have a fit (seizures)
- Feel suddenly confused
- Feel very sleepy or difficult to wake
- Have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it – the rash may be blotchy, like bruises or small red pinpricks
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