Coli bacteria in Roquefort cheese

Authorities warn of coliform bacteria in Roquefort cheese

08/03/2012

Roquefort cheese, which is contaminated with coliform bacteria, has apparently entered the market via several supermarket chains. The consumer ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia has advised to pay special attention to the Roquefort brand, the expiry date and the batch number. Concerned is "Roquefort AOP cheese of the brands Cosse Noire, Decasse, Castelviel, Cora and Auchan", according to the Ministry's message.

All contaminated Roquefort cheese comes from the French manufacturer "Societe Gabriel Coulet". Following the French authorities' finding of an increased concentration of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Roquefort cheese, the manufacturer has initiated a recall for the above-mentioned varieties with a best-before date from 28 July 2012 to 5 August 2012 and September 30, 2012 through November 19, 2012 (lot numbers 120466173 and 120466177). The discovered "STEC bacteria can cause dramatic diarrheal diseases," warned the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety a week ago.

Life-threatening consequences of Coli bacteria in Roquefort cheese
In the worst case, not only symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, but life-threatening complications are threatened by the Coli bacteria contained in Roquefort cheese. In particular, children under the age of six, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons are more likely to experience hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) "after the mentioned intestinal symptoms," according to the ministry's statement. The HUS was the cause of most deaths during the 2011 EHEC epidemic. The affected suffer from internal bleeding, especially in the area of ​​the renal arteries, usually associated with so-called anemia (anemia). In the course of HUS, the patient is threatened with acute kidney failure, which can ultimately lead to death. The disease often requires dialysis (blood washing). In addition to kidney failure, "further complications may include cerebral hemorrhage, neurological disorders and damage to other organs (pancreas, heart)," according to a statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in NRW.

Take special care when buying Roquefort cheese
According to the warning issued by the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety regarding the Coli bacteria in Roquefort cheese, the affected retailers reacted promptly and removed the cheese from the offer. Kaufland and the sales company Münnich fromage GmbH started a corresponding return campaign. However, according to the message of the NRW consumer ministry "besides Kaufland also further supermarket chains are concerned." However, it would not be expedient here to name individual supermarkets and thus to reduce the warnings indirectly to this provider. Rather, consumers are advised to look for Roquefort cheese in general, the exact date, the best before date and the batch numbers. This note applies not only to the population in North Rhine-Westphalia but across Germany. For example, the cheese was also traded in Berlin, as emerges from a recent warning from the Berlin Senate Administration.

Although Roquefort cheese, which has been contaminated with coliform bacteria, has been removed from the market, the authorities believe that individual packs are still at home among consumers. These should by no means be consumed. In addition, people who experience symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea after consuming Roquefort cheese are strongly advised to seek medical attention. (Fp)

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