Nation-wide cheese recall over listeria fears

The NSW Food Safety Authority has issued a nation-wide recall on a variety of products from French cheese maker Washed Rind.

The government body said on Saturday that six cheeses from the brand could be contaminated with listeria, the potentially deadly bacteria that recently killed six people who ate rockmelons infected with the strain.

The Food Safety Authority said the affected cheeses were sold at IGA and Supa IGA in NSW, independent retailers in QLD and ACT, Foodworks and independent retailers in VIC, Foodlands IGA and independent retailers in SA and IGA, Supa IGA and independent retailers in WA.

Anyone who has purchased the cheeses should return the product immediately. While Washed Rind makes a variety of French cheeses, some of which are still safe to eat, the following types have been recalled:

• Saint Simeon 200g, Plastic container, Best before 08-04-201
• Brie de Nangis 1kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018
• Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin 500g, Plastic container, Best before 8-04-2018
• Coulommiers Truffe 800g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
• Le Coulommiers 500g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
• Brie de Brie Pasteurise 2.8kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018

“Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems,” the Food Safety Authority said in a statement.

“If you are concerned about your health you should seek medical advice.”

It comes after six people across NSW and Victoria died after eating rockmelon contaminated with listeria.

Listeria is a life-threatening bacteria for certain people, particularly those over the age of 60. Those who are over 70, have diabetes, cancer or even suppressed immune systems are most at risk, along with pregnant women.

The majority of the people who have been infected after through the rockmelon are aged between 60 and 90. Most people who have become infected ate rockmelon between January 17 and February 9.

In many cases, listeria is present in natural products without causing any harm. However, it is particularly difficult to diagnose as symptoms present at different times.

Victims typically show flu-like symptoms including a fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea. Some people show symptoms immediately, while others can take more than six weeks to appear after eating food at risk. The NSW Food Authority last week warned anyone showing symptoms to seek medical help immediately.

Rockmelons were removed from shelves on February 28, although it is feared that more people have been infected, given it can take weeks for some people to start showing signs. It is believed that as many as a third of all people to contract listeriosis die each year in Australia.

Have you ever bought this cheese brand? Have you been avoiding rockmelon since the outbreak?