One person in the UK has died in a listeria outbreak and consumers have been warned to avoid Baronet semi-soft cheeses that have been recalled because they are contaminated with the bacteria. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the warning on Friday after “exceptionally high levels” of listeria were found in some of the cheeses.
On Monday, the FSA – which makes sure food is safe – issued an alert saying The Old Cheese Room, a manufacturer in Wiltshire, was extending its recall of Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet Soft Cheeses because listeria monocytogenes has been found in some batches. These include pack sizes of 1kg, 270g and 200g, and best before dates of March 21 and 22, and April 4, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 18.
UKHSA, a Government agency responsible for public health, has identified three listeria cases potentially linked to an outbreak and said one person has died. Baronet is a pasteurised semi-soft cheese with a pinkish orange rind and a pungent smell.
