Contaminated by listeria, a huge recall of the Christmas cheeses most loved by English tables

A wave of recalls involving a selection of cheeses produced by Wicklow Farmhouse due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

The Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom have been tainted by a health scare concerning one of the most loved delicacies: the cheese. An important wave of recalls has in fact involved a selection of cheeses produced by Wicklow Farmhousewhich have been withdrawn from the market due to possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenesa bacterium that can cause serious illness.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent warning to inform consumers in particular in Ireland and Northern Irelandof a risk of listeriosis associated with these products. The bacterium Listeria It can cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, but in more vulnerable people—such as the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and people with compromised immune systems—it can cause serious complications such as meningitis or sepsis. Health authorities have warned that although the risk for most of the population is low, people in these vulnerable groups need to be especially careful.

It’s not the first case

The recalled cheeses include popular varieties, such as Brie and Cheddar, sold in independent outlets and Aldi supermarkets in Ireland. The products involved are marked with labels of different brands, including Ballykilty Baking Brie, Wicklow Blue Brie and Drunken Saintand were marketed in 150 gram packs with all expiry dates. Authorities urged consumers not to consume these products and to return them to stores for a refund.

This recall fits into a broader context of concerns related to food safety during the Christmas period, when consumers tend to shop for cheeses, cooked meats and other typical products. Just a few days before, other cheeses produced by Dunnes Stores were withdrawn for the same reason: contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis, despite being rare, has a significant mortality rate, with 32 victims recorded in 2023 alone, compared to 177 reported cases.

In the meantime, health authorities continue to monitor the most consumed food products during the holidays and to raise consumer awareness of the need to pay attention to food safety. People at risk, in particular, should avoid soft cheeses and other foods that may contain the bacterium. Consumers are also invited to follow the advice of the authorities and take preventive measures, such as checking product labels and the correct disposal of suspect foods.

Below we leave you the list of cheeses involved: