Product recall: Several cheeses are recalled as shoppers warned they could cause chills, fever and diarrhoea

Several cheese products produced by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese have been pulled from shelves due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Shoppers who have purchased the cheeses have been told not to consume them but instead, return them to the store from where they were bought.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned consumers: "Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is recalling cheese products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes." The recall specifically affects those in Northern Ireland.

Nine cheese products have been identified as potentially containing the species of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria.

Several products have been recalled due to the 'possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes'

Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese

The FSA stated: "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.

"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

"Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one-month-old and people with weakened immune systems."

The US Food and Drug Administration identified other mild symptoms as fever and nausea. If a more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

The FSA advised: "Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in the retail stores in Northern Ireland that are selling the products.

"These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products." One affected store is Sheridan's Cheesemongers.

For the full product recall notices, affected shoppers can see the FSA's official website.

The FSA advised: "If you have bought the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund."

This comes as other cheeses were pulled from shelves manufactured by or containing ingredients from Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese. This recall affected those who shop at Dunnes Stores.

Experts from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised: "Contact a healthcare provider if both of the following things apply to you. You ate food that has been recalled or linked to an outbreak. You have a fever and other symptoms of listeriosis, such as fatigue and muscle aches.

"Let the healthcare provider know if you ate possibly contaminated food. This step is especially important if you are pregnant, are 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system.

"If you ate food possibly contaminated with Listeria and do not feel sick, most experts believe you do not need tests or treatment. Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about what to do."

Food recalls must be taken seriously to ensure customer safety. The FSA explained: "If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).

"The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

"In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

'If you have bought the above products do not eat them'

Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese

Affected products

Ballykilty Baking Brie

Pack size: 150g

Use by: All date code

Best before: All date codes