People are being warned not to eat Baronet semi-soft cheeses that have been recalled as they are contaminated with listeria - some at 'exceptionally high levels.'
One person has died, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said, while two others have contracted listeria linked to the product. Symptoms of listeria can be similar to that of the flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, vomiting and diarrhoea.
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.
The UKSHA has advised consumers 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.
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."
Tina Potter, Head of Incidents at FSA, said: "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."
Some foods carry a greater risk of listeria than others, including soft cheeses, pate, smoked fish and chilled sliced meats. Anyone who does fall ill with symptoms of listeriosis is advised to follow advice on the NHS website and to report their illness to their local authority.
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