Big recall for Listeria bacteria Also affected by Edeka cheese

Listeriosis Danger from contaminated cheese from France

The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety is currently warning against dangerous Listeria bacteria that could be contained in the French cheese "Itche Bai". As part of the manufacturer's own controls, the harmful bacterium Listeria monocytogenes was found, which can trigger the disease listeriosis. In certain risk groups Listeria can cause severe, sometimes even fatal disease courses.

As reported by the German Federal Bureau of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, the affected product is the cheese "Capitoul Itche Bai Mix sheep / goat 4.5 kilograms" made by the French manufacturer "Les Fromageries Occitanes". For reasons of precautionary consumer protection, the manufacturer recalls the batch concerned, as contamination with the dangerous germ can not be excluded.

Listeriosis is caused by rodent bacteria of the genus Listeria monocytogenes. Frozen products, sausages or cheeses are often affected by contamination. (Image: Sagittaria / fotolia.com)

Which products are affected?

According to the manufacturer, only the product "Capitoul Itche Bai Mix sheep / goat 4.5 kilograms" with the lot numbers 2018115126 and 2018116127 and the best before date 25 and 26 July 2018 are affected. Furthermore, one recognizes the cheese concerned by the identity mark FR 31.582.001 CE. The product was distributed in Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Schleswig-Holstein. Among other things one could order it with the Edeka delivery service "Bringmeister.de". Due to the weight, it is likely that this product was also sold as a cold cuts over cheese counters.

Weak concentration

As the manufacturer informs, the germs were present in the samples only in low concentration, which still moved within the limits of legal requirements. In healthy persons, no cases of illness are to be expected. Nevertheless, the manufacturer advises against the consumption, since the bacterium can cause dangerous listeriosis in certain risk groups. The goods can be returned to the shop where they were purchased.

Which risk groups are particularly affected?

Infants, toddlers, immunocompromised or elderly people, newly-operated people, people suffering from diabetes as well as cancer patients and AIDS sufferers are especially at risk from listeriosis. In rare cases, the bacteria can cause meningitis (meningitis) or septicemia. In addition to the above-mentioned groups, pregnant women should also pay particular attention, as an infection in the unborn child can cause severe illnesses, which in extreme cases end in death.

How to recognize a listeriosis?

Listeriosis has a long incubation period of up to 70 days, which makes it difficult to conclude on the product consumed. People who have eaten the cheese and who develop listeriosis signs in the next two months should urgently see a doctor. Typical symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• fever,
• chills,
• body aches,
• a headache.

Frequent incidents lately

The common bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is not a major hazard to most people. In some cases, however, the bacteria can trigger infectious diseases that can sometimes even kill people. Only recently, there was a Europe-wide Listeria scandal in frozen vegetables, which claimed at least nine lives. (Vb)