Listeria warning: recall on cheeses around Australia

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Pregnant women are once again on high alert, with another range of products being pulled from Australian shelves amid a listeria scare.

A selection of cheeses which are produced overseas and sold across Australia have been recalled. It comes after a recent listeria outbreak linked to rockmelon caused a miscarriage and deaths of five people across the nation.

The NSW Food Authority has advised that dairy distributor Washed Rind has recalled a variety of its cheese because of a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese are made in France and sold in IGA stores and independent retailers across Victoria, NSW, Queensland, the ACT, South Australia and Western Australia.

What products are affected?

  • Saint Simeon 200g, plastic container, Best before 8/04/2018
  • Brie de Nangis 1kg, wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 8/04/2018
  • Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin 500g, plastic container, Best before 8/4/2018
  • Coulommiers Truffe 800g, wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 8/4/2018 and 22/4/2018
  • Le Coulommiers 500g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 8/4/2018 and 22/4/2018
  • Brie de Brie Pasteurise 2.8kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 8/4/2018 and 22/4/2018

Where were they available?

  • IGA and Supa IGA in NSW
  • independent retailers in QLD and ACT
  • Foodworks and independent retailers in VIC
  • Foodlands IGA and independent retailers in SA
  • IGA, Supa IGA and independent retailers in WA

What could happen?

Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.

Listeriosis symptoms

Listeriosis starts with flu-like symptoms, including:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea
  • Sometimes diarrhoea.

The symptoms can take a few days or even up to six weeks to appear after eating contaminated produce. People at risk should consult their local doctor as early as possible should symptoms appear.

Foods to avoid when pregnant

It’s a timely reminder for women who are pregnant to avoid certain foods, including:

  • soft and semi-soft cheeses (unless thoroughly cooked to at least 75°C and eaten soon afterwards)
  • processed meats (unless thoroughly cooked to at least 75°C and eaten soon afterwards)
  • cold cooked chicken
  • pre-prepared vegetables and salads
  • pre-cut fruit
  • pậté
  • soft-serve ice-cream
  • raw seafood

What should you do?

Consumers are being told not to eat the products, and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Make sure you read our list of nine things to avoid when pregnant.

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