Asda and Co-Op latest to recall Camembert over potentially deadly bacteria

Asda is recalling its own brand Extra Special de Pays Camembert and the Co-operative is recalling its own brand Truly Irresistible Camembert. Both supermarkets say this is a precaution — as there is a risk they may contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Asda says that if you have a 250g pack with a use by date of 14th, 21st or 28th, you should take it back to the store for a full refund. The Co-op product being recalled, meanwhile, is the 250g cheese with a use by date of 21st February.

The cheese should not be consumed, as Listeria causes Listeriosis, a type of food poisoning that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare instances it can spread to other parts of the body, and if it spreads to the brain it can be fatal.

Certain groups are considered especially vulnerable - including pregnant women - as the baby can be at risk, plus newborn babies, people over the age of 60 and anyone with a weakened immune system.

It's one of the reasons why pregnant women are advised to avoid unpasteurised and soft cheeses like Camembert
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Not the first

Both recalls follow hot on the heels of Sainsbury's recalling Camembert products last Thursday. In that instance it was the Taste the Difference French Camembert Cheese 250g, Taste the Difference Baking Camembert Cheese 250g and Camembert Pays 250g with any use by date up to and including 6 March.

There has been no confirmation whether the recalls are linked.

There are relatively regular Listeria-related recalls. On 12 January Fromagerie Beillevaire UK recalled a batch of its 'Brie de Meaux à la Truffe' with a 'use by' date of 22 January 2016, because high levels of the bacteria were found. It means there have been four listeria-related recalls this year - and seven last year.

Listeria can be killed when the cheese is heated to a high enough temperature, but it's not worth the risk, and any recalls should be taken seriously. Last year US officials ruled that ice cream products infected with Listeria were a contributing factor to three deaths.

If you have bought any of the affected Camembert from Sainsbury's, Asda or the Co-op, it's therefore worth taking it back to the shop for a refund. It's also a good idea to sign up to email alerts from the Food Standards Agency, so you are among the first to hear of any recalls in future.