Warning to cheese-lovers as three artisan types are urgently recalled over listeria fears

Warning to cheese-lovers as three artisan types are urgently recalled with a ‘do not eat’ alert over listeria fears

Recall impacts The Old Cheese Room’s Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet
Food Standards Agency told Brits not to eat the cheeses and request a refund

By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline

Updated: 11:46 GMT, 15 March 2023

Three types of artisanal soft cheeses have been urgently recalled over health fears.

Food safety watchdogs have stuck a ‘do not eat’ alert out for the products made by The Old Cheese Room.

It is feared they may be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria that poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) warning only affects types of the Wiltshire brand’s Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet varieties.

Most people who contract listeria poisoning suffer no more than a severe headache, stiff neck and stomach upset – symptoms that recede after a few days.

Food safety watchdogs have stuck a ‘do not eat’ alert out for the products made by The Old Cheese Room

The Old Cheese Room’s Baronet Soft Cheese (pictured), Baby Baronet Soft Cheese and Mini Baronet Soft Cheese are all affected by the recall

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

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.

The Old Cheese Room said it was a ‘precautionary measure’.

It said: ‘Please do not consume these products. Check if you have bought the affected batch codes.

‘Customers can contact us for a full refund (with or without a receipt).’

One recall is for the 1kg Baronet, priced at £32, with best before dates of March 21, April 11 and April 18, 2023.

The other two recalls are for the 270g Mini Baronet, costing £9 and 200g Baby Baronet, with a best before data of April 16 or April 18, respectively.

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

In rare cases it leads to listeriosis, which can cause a temperature, vomiting and aches and pains.

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.

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

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