Listeria fears force recall of four cream products

The four recalls, issued on Saturday (August 29), included: Müller Wiseman Dairies’ pasteurised double cream and three other cream products sold by Aldi, Iceland and Sainsbury. The recall followed the discovery of low levels of Lm​ “in a limited number of pots”​ said the Food Standards Agency FSA.

The Müller Wiseman Dairies’ recall affected its pasteurised double cream product sold in 300ml pots and a ‘use by’ date of September 2.

Müller said the contamination was “an isolated incident”​, linked to an East Kilbride dairy. “This is an isolated incident and an extensive investigation by Müller Wiseman Dairies’ quality team is under way to understand the cause and source,​” ​said the firm in a statement. 

“The batch was produced at a small dairy in East Kilbride, which produces cream products. No other Müller Wiseman Dairies products at the site are known to be affected​.”​

After the discovery of listeria, Aldi recalled its McCallums Scottish Double Cream. The recall affected products sold in 300ml pots with a ‘use by’ date of September 2 and the product code of 43090.

Iceland recalled its double cream​

Iceland recalled its Double Cream sold in 284ml pots with a ‘use by’ date of September 2.

Sainsbury’s recall covered its SO Organic British Double Cream sold in 300ml pots with a ‘use by’ date of September 2. The batch code was 01716184.

Lm​ can cause food poisoning, especially in vulnerable groups and expectant mothers, said the FSA.

Infection with listeriosis usually develops after eating food contaminated by listeria bacteria, according to the NHS Choices​ website.

‘High temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea’​

“In most people, listeriosis is mild and causes symptoms including a high temperature (fever), vomiting and diarrhoea,”​ said NHS Choices. “These symptoms usually pass within three days without the need for treatment.”​

But, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe and spread to other parts of the body, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. Common symptoms of severe listeriosis included: a stiff neck, severe headache and tremors.

Listeria bacteria have been found in a range of chilled ready-to-eat foods, according to the website. The bacteria has been found in: pre-packed sandwiches, pâté, butter, soft cheeses – such as Brie or Camembert, or others with a similar rind soft blue cheese – cooked sliced meats and smoked salmon.

The bacteria can also be passed on through contact with the stools of infected animals or human carriers.

Pregnant women were said to be almost 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis compared with the rest of the population because the body's natural defences against the listeria bacteria were said to be weaker during pregnancy.

Meanwhile, safety will take centre stage at the Food Manufacture Group’s one-day food safety conference at the Lowry, Manchester on September 29.

The conference is divided into four sessions: minimising contamination in raw materials and ingredients, managing safety hazards and risks in processing, distribution and sale, delivering products that are safe throughout their shelf-life and reassuring consumers about the safety of what they eat.

More details are available here.