Warning as FOUR cheeses sold in Tesco, Waitrose and Co-Op are recalled

Urgent ‘do not eat’ warning to cheese lovers as another FOUR types sold in Tesco, Waitrose and the Co-Op are recalled over listeria fears

Food Standards Agency told Brits not to eat the cheeses and request a refund
Recall impacts goats cheeses produced by Cricket St Thomas and the Co-op

Four more types of artisan cheese have been urgently recalled from supermarket shelves over fears they could also be contaminated with listeria.

Food safety watchdogs have stuck a ‘do not eat’ alert out for three goats cheeses produced by Cricket St Thomas – stocked in Tesco and Waitrose – and one by the Co-op.

It is feared the four cheeses, which all have best before dates of May 26, have been contaminated and ‘may contain’ the bacteria.

The nasty bug — which can kill — usually causes a fever, sickness and diarrhoea.

More than 30 varieties of cheese with various ‘best before’ dates have already been pulled from shelves, either because listeria was detected on the samples, or over fears the products had been cross-contaminated.

In March, health officials also announced one Brit had also died from listeria in an outbreak linked to contaminated cheese.

Cricket St Thomas said its three product recalls were a ‘precautionary measure’. One recall is for the Cricket St Thomas Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g, with a best before date of May 26. The other two recalls are for Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g and Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 85g, both also with a best before date of May 26

The Co-Op’s recall meanwhile concerns the Co-Op Goats Cheese 85g which also has a best before date of May 26

Those who eat food containing listeria develop an infection called listeriosis, which can cause a fever, aches and pains, chills, nausea, sickness and diarrhoea

The concern over the affected cheeses has sparked fresh warnings over the risks of consuming products made from raw milk, which can contain a host of bacteria.

The FSA issues food recalls — when customers are asked to return a product — when problems are spotted with food that means it should not be sold.

Cricket St Thomas said its three product recalls were a ‘precautionary measure’.

One recall is for the Cricket St Thomas Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g, with a best before date of May 26.

What is listeriosis?

Most people that catch listeriosis, caused by bacteria called listeria, will only experience mild symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Other symptoms of the infection can include a high temperature of 38C or above, aches and pains, and chills, according to the NHS.

However, more serious complications can develop in those with weakened immune systems, babies, the elderly and pregnant women.

Many foods can harbour listeria, but it is usually found in unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches.

Listeria is widespread in the environment and can be found in raw food and soil, and in the droppings of many mammals, birds, and fish.

Around 120 cases of listeriosis are confirmed every year in England, according to figures. It strikes around 1,600 annually in the US.

HOW CAN YOU AVOID LISTERIOSIS?

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
Wash fruit and vegetables before eating them
Store ready-to-eat foods as recommended by the manufacturer
Make sure all hot food is steaming hot all the way through

The other two recalls are for Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g and Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 85g, both also with a best before date of May 26.

It said: ‘If you have purchased the above products with a Use by Date of May 26, 2023, do not eat them, instead return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund.’

They added: ‘No other Cricket St Thomas or Capricorn products are affected by this recall.’

‘As consumer safety is our top priority, we are recalling one batch of the products mentioned above as a precautionary measure due to a small risk that these products may contain listeria.’

The Co-op’s recall meanwhile concerns the Co-op Goats Cheese 85g with a best before date of May 26.

‘Return product to nearest Co-op store for a refund, or if you are self-isolating or shielding please contact our customer careline’, it advised.

Listeria is a bacteria which poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.

For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills and feeling or being sick.

Usually symptoms recede after a few days.

However, some vulnerable groups can develop life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and meningitis.

Listeria most commonly infects chilled, ready-to-eat foods such as pre-packed sandwiches, pate and soft cheeses.

According to the latest available data, a total of 124 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales in 2020.

Meanwhile in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year.

The bacteria hit headlines last month after the Food Standards Agency and UK Health Security Agency said that they had initially detected three listeria cases ‘potentially linked to an outbreak’.

All of those infected had a closely genetically related strain of listeria that has also been found in samples of Baronet cheese made by Wiltshire-based The Old Cheese Room.

However, that does not necessarily mean that all those involved in the outbreak contracted listeriosis as a result of eating Baronet cheese.

Listeria has also been found in samples taken from ‘food environments’, they said.

Health chiefs are investigating the cause of the outbreak.

Which cheeses have been recalled?

The Old Cheese Room 1kg Baronet

Best Before Date: March 21, March 22, April 11, April 12, April 16 and April 18, 2023

The Old Cheese Room 270g Mini Baronet

Best Before Date: March 22, April 10 and April 18, 2023

The Old Cheese Room 200g Baby Baronet

Best Before Date: March 22, April 4, April 10 and April 16, 2023

Somerset Cheese Company 2kg and 250g Pennard Red Goats Cheese

Best Before Date: April 28, 2023

Cheese + 1kg and any cut pieces Alpen cheese