Sainsbury's recalls Camembert products over Listeria risk
Sainsbury's has issued a recall for a number of Camembert products. The Taste the Difference French Camembert Cheese 250g, Taste the Difference Baking Camembert Cheese 250g and Camembert Pays 250g may contain Listeria monocytogenes.
The supermarket has found what it calls "a low level of listeria in a small number of packs", and is urging anyone with the cheeses, which expire on any date up to 6 March, not to eat them, and to return them to their nearest store for a refund. It has said that the recall is a 'precaution'.
What's the risk?
Listeria is a bacteria which causes Listeriosis - a type of food poisoning that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. In most people symptoms pass within three days, but in serious cases it can spread to other parts of the body. It can kill if it spreads to the brain.
The bacteria is considered particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups - including newborn babies, pregnant women (as the unborn baby can be susceptible), people aged over 60, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Listeria is usually killed before reaching the supermarket by pasteurisation, but can live on in unpasteurised cheeses and milk. It is unusual in that it can grow even in the cold temperatures of the fridge, and although it will be killed if it is cooked at a high enough temperature, eaten warm or raw it poses a real risk.
Common recalls
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Listeria is potentially deadly, so it's surprising how often foods are recalled after testing reveals a potential problem. 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.
In September last year the Golden Cross Cheese Company recalled five batches of Flower Marie Sheep Milk Cheese on a precautionary basis, and earlier the same month Morrisons recalled 200g packs of Savers Cooked Ham (with an expiry date of 11 September) after Listeria monocytogenes were found.
In fact, there were seven Listeria-related recalls last year alone - relating to everything from ham and cheese to cream.
The risks may often be low, and the moves may be precautionary, but food recalls should always be taken seriously. It's worth keeping your eyes peeled in store for recall notices, and signing up to tweets from the Food Standards Agency - which will send out details when an item is recalled.
