The Somerset Cheese Company is recalling its Pennard Red Goats Cheese because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in one batch of the product. The bacteria can cause a range of flu-like symptoms but in some cases can cause more severe infections and complications such as meningitis.
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The company's directors have said it was only a small batch of cheese that was released and 80% of the infected products are now back in their possession. Customers are being advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that theydo not eat the cheese and instead return the product for a full refund.
Pennard Red Goats Cheese
The affected cheese is The Somerset Cheese Company’s Pennard Red Goats Cheese with the following batch number, as per the FSA:
- Pack size - 2kg wheel and any cut pieces
- Batch code - 03/10/2022
- Best before date - 28 April 2023
The company said its tests found only ‘trace levels’ of the bacteria but they would like to reassure customers that all batches of cheese will be tested prior to release and be ‘certified free from Listeria and safe to eat’.
The company also assured customers that there has been no issues as a result of the cheese being released, as per the BBC:
The incident of listeria at our dairy has not been linked to other outbreaks in the south of England or to any incidents of listeria in the population.
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I know for most folks with a robust system, this wouldn’t cause too much of an issue. But if you have an immune condition or other vulnerabilities, this could be v dangerous.
— Dr Mand (@mandapen) April 4, 2023
Somerset Cheese Company product recalled after listeria found. https://t.co/xtehto6Oir
Listeriosis symptoms
People with a listeria infection can suffer from a range of symptoms similar to flu such as fever, muscles aches and chills. The FSA issued the following risk statement, as per the FSA:
Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.
The Somerset Cheese Company is advising all customers do not to eat the product and return it for a full refund (with or without a receipt). For more information customers can also call 01749 860237 oror email info@somersetcheese.co.uk
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Sources used:
- FSA 'Somerset Cheese Company recalls Pennard Red Goats Cheese because of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes'
- BBC 'Somerset Cheese Company product recalled after listeria found'
