What is listeria? Almost 10 million pounds of meat recalled amid fears over contaminated ready meals

Almost 10 million pounds of food products have been recalled amid fears meat in them may have been contaminated by listeria bacteria.

US manufacturer BrucePac, based in Oklahoma, has issued a recall notice for 75 of its products after routine testing found evidence of Listeria monocytogenes in some of its meals, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said.

The meals have been sold in both shops - including Amazon Fresh, Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Walmart - and restaurants across the US.

They include Trader Joe’s salad with BBQ-flavoured chicken and Amazon Kitchen’s Caesar salad with grilled white chicken, sesame ginger salad, and Mediterranean-style salad, which also comes with grilled chicken.

This comes after thousands of Cadbury products were recalled at major supermarkets over listeria fears earlier this year.

That recall saw Cadbury dessert pots made by dairy and milk supplier Müller pulled from shelves, along with Capricorn and Co-op goats’ cheese.

Previously, food safety experts issued a warning over other contaminated cheese after a Briton died and two became unwell from listeria.

But what exactly is listeria, how serious is it, and how can you treat it? Here is everything we know.

What Cadbury products were recalled?

Müller said the following items were recalled as a precautionary measure and only the below use-by dates are affected.

The products pulled were:

  • Cadbury Crunchie Chocolate Dessert 75g — May 17, 2023

  • Cadbury Flake Chocolate Dessert 75g — May 17, 2023

  • Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Chocolate Dessert 75g — May 18, 2023

  • Cadbury Dairy Milk Chunks Chocolate Dessert 75g — May 18, 2023

  • Cadbury Heroes Chocolate Dessert 6x75g — May 18, 2023

  • Cadbury Daim Chocolate Dessert 75g — May 18, 2023

Have any other products been contaminated?

Listeria has also been found in goats’ cheese and Lactalis UK & Ireland has urgently recalled the affected products, as well as the latest discovery in the US.

The Cricket St Thomas Capricorn Goats Cheese, Somerset Capricorn Goats Cheese, and Co-op Goats Cheese products should be returned to supermarkets over possible listeria contamination.

Lactalis said in a statement about the cheese: “The health risk to the public remains low and individuals should only seek medical attention if they develop symptoms.

“If you have purchased the above products with a Use by Date of 26 May 2023, do not eat them, instead return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund.

“We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product, and for the inconvenience caused.”

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by listeria and it is usually caught from eating food that contains the bacteria.

It mainly occurs in chilled ready-to-eat foods deli foods, such as smoked fish and shellfish, sliced meats, soft cheeses, sandwiches, fruit, and unpasteurised milk.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

Listeriosis doesn’t always cause symptoms but, when it does, they include a high temperature of 38°C or above, aches and pains, chills, feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea.

These symptoms usually last a few days.

Is listeriosis serious?

Listeriosis isn’t always serious, but some people are at a higher risk of developing serious problems, such as meningitis and life-threatening sepsis.

These at-risk groups include pregnant women, newborn babies, people aged 65 or over, people with a weakened immune system, and those with uncontrolled diabetes.

When to seek treatment for listeriosis

People in the aforementioned at-risk groups should contact the NHS on 111 if they think they have listeriosis.

They should call 999 or go to A&E if they have any of the following symptoms:

  • have a severe headache and stiff neck

  • find it uncomfortable to look at bright lights

  • have a fit (seizures)

  • feel suddenly confused

  • feel very sleepy or difficult to wake

  • have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it — the rash may be blotchy, like bruises or small, red pinpricks

These could be symptoms of meningitis caused by listeriosis.

For further information, visit the NHS site.