One individual in the UK passes away after consuming listeria-contaminated cheese.
A single individual has passed away from consuming cheese that was infected with listeria. The public health departments in the United Kingdom have advised people to avoid consuming Baronet semi-soft cheeses due to the exceptionally elevated levels of contamination in some of the cheese.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning regarding the Old Cheese Room, a manufacturer in Wiltshire. The FSA stated on Monday that the company has expanded its recall of three types of soft cheeses due to listeria being found in certain batches. The affected pack sizes are 1kg, 270g, and 200g, with best before dates of 21 and 22 March, as well as 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, and 18 April.
The FSA and UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA, have reported that three cases of listeriosis have been associated with the consumption of the cheeses. Sadly, one of the affected individuals has passed away.
The statement released by the agencies explained that Baronet cheese can be bought in either small, single portions or large 1 kilogram wheels. Occasionally, the cheese is offered pre-cut from a deli counter, making it difficult to identify if the product is impacted or not.
If you are unsure, it is recommended that you get in touch with the seller from whom you purchased your cheese to determine if the Baronet cheese you have bought is from the influenced batches. Until then, avoid consuming the product.
The organizations claimed that certain cheeses had an uncommonly high presence of listeria, which could lead to contamination.
The statement mentioned that the FSA and UKHSA are still collaborating with each other and with the respective local authorities to manage this outbreak. In case any more products are identified as being impacted, additional recalls might be executed as a precautionary measure.
Even though the signs of listeriosis may resemble those of the flu, in exceptional instances of intense infection there may be significant issues, such as meningitis.
According to Richard Elson who leads the incidents and response team for UKHSA, listeriosis is not commonly contracted by people and usually only causes minor health issues like tummy pain and diarrhea that last for a brief period, and no treatment is needed. Nonetheless, there are those who are at greater risk of serious complications.
According to him, individuals who have a compromised immune system, pregnant women, as well as infants and older adults, are more susceptible to experiencing severe symptoms.
"If you belong to a category of people who are more susceptible to severe symptoms, the NHS website has guidelines on the types of food that must be avoided and what measures to take if you suspect you have contracted listeriosis."
