- Italian soft cheese has been recalled over fears batches contain listeria
- Listeria poisoning can be similar to the flu and cause a high fever and nausea.
Supermarkets are urgently removing cheese from the market over fears it may be contaminated with listeria.
Morrisons and ASDA have issued “do not eat” alerts on Taleggio, a soft Italian cheese.
Two products are affected, one in each supermarket.
Food safety chiefs fear Brits who eat them could become ill. Listeria can be life-threatening.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has today told the public not to eat The Best Taleggio sold at Morrisons (pictured). All lots of cheese up to and including April 28, 2024 are affected by the recall.
ASDA recalled its ASDA Extra Special Taleggio on March 31, also due to possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has today told the public not to eat The Best Taleggio sold at Morrisons.
All lots of cheese, up to and including April 28, 2024, are affected by the recall.
This recall comes after ASDA recalled its ASDA Extra Special Taleggio on March 31, also due to possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes.
The supermarket is recalling all lots with an expiry date of April 14, 2024.
Currently, no other products are affected by the recall at any of the supermarkets.
The Italian soft cheese is sold in 200g packs for £2.75 at ASDA and £3.29 at Morrisons.
Both supermarkets explain to their customers on their websites that the cheese develops a natural edible mold on the rind as it matures, typical of this type of cheese.
However, it is not recommended that pregnant women eat this type of cheese.
Supermarkets have issued point-of-sale notices to their customers explaining why the products are being recalled and urging customers not to eat the affected packages.
Instead, they ask customers to return the product to the nearest store, where they will be refunded in full even if they don’t have a receipt.
Morrisons said: “Please do not eat this product and return it to your nearest store for a full refund.” We don’t need a receipt.
‘No other products are affected by this issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and assure customers of our continued commitment to the highest standards of product quality and safety.’
ASDA said: “Please bring it to your nearest store where you will be refunded in full.” You don’t need your receipt.’
He added: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
The FSA issues food recalls, which ask customers to return a product, when problems are detected that mean a product should not be sold.
Listeria is a bacteria that poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women, and infants.
For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to the flu and include a high temperature, muscle aches or pain, chills, and feeling sick.
Symptoms usually go away after a few days.
However, some vulnerable groups may develop life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and meningitis.
Listeria most commonly infects refrigerated and ready-to-eat foods, such as packaged sandwiches, pâté, 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 United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year.
