The food safety watchdog has removed a selection of favorite cheeses from supermarkets amid fears of contamination with a potentially deadly bacteria.
The Food Standards Agency warned that cheeses made by Wicklow Farmhouse – including brie and cheddar – sold in both independent and Irish Aldi stores should be recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
This bacteria causes a disease called listeriosis, which causes flu-like symptoms in most people, as well as vomiting and diarrhea.
However, in rare cases it can cause a dangerous infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis, as well as life-threatening sepsis.
The elderly, young children and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are at greatest risk.
Pregnant women are also vulnerable: About one in five of those who contract listeriosis will have a miscarriage or stillbirth.
The brands involved in the recall are Ballykilty Baking Brie, St Killian Cheese, Baking St Killian Cheese, Wicklow Ban, Wicklow Blue Brie, St Killians, Wicklow Farmhouse Cheddar Wedge, Wicklow Gold Tomato & Herb and Drunken Saint.
These cheeses are sold in outlets throughout Ireland. The recall affects 150 gram portions of the cheese brands sold, all used on the relevant dates.
Several cheeses that are part of Christmas packages have been urgently recalled due to contamination with a potentially fatal bacteria. Stock image
Food safety authorities warned that several cheeses made by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese should be withdrawn from shelves or thrown away due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria is a bacterium that poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies. For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to the flu and may be accompanied by high fever, muscle aches, chills, and nausea or vomiting. The symptoms usually disappear after a few days. However, some vulnerable groups may develop life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and meningitis
The Food Safety Agency said the recall specifically affected people in Northern Ireland.
‘Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in the stores in Northern Ireland selling the products.’
Those who purchased the cheeses are advised to return them to the store, where they will receive a refund without the need for a receipt.
It comes just a day after a number of other Christmas dinner favorites were recalled amid fears they could harm customers’ health.
The affected products included cabbage, cooked meats and various cheeses made by Dunnes in Ireland due to similar fears of Listeria contamination.
These include:
Dunnes Stores Wicklow smoked cheddar – 150g
Dunnes Stores Wicklow Tomato & Herb Cheddar – 150g
A number of cheeses have been recalled by Dunnes in Ireland due to the presence of potentially dangerous bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea
Dunnes Stores Wicklow Nettle & Chive Cheddar – 150g
Dunnes Stores Wicklow Blue Brie – 150g
Simply Better Irish Brie Cheese & Cranberry Quiche – 800g
Simply Better Wicklow Ban in Ceramic Bowl – 150g
Simply Better Double Cream Wicklow Ban – 150g
Simply Better Farmhouse Irish Cheese Selection – 735g
Simply Better & Neven Maguire Cheese Selection – 705g
The latest data shows that 177 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales in 2023, up from 124 cases the year before.
Of the cases reported last year, 32 were fatal. One of these was directly related to the consumption of contaminated cheese.
The latest cheese recall follows a similar incident last Christmas.
In December last year, a number of Mrs. cheese brands were sold. Kirkham, which were sold in major supermarkets such as Waitrose, have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination.