Warning issued after Listeria found in cheeses at Coop, Migros and Lidl

The Swiss government has issued a public warning about Listeria found in cheese products sold at major supermarkets in Switzerland. Consumers are being urged not to eat them, and items have been removed from shelves.

Eberle Spezialitäten AG recalls mini bries

Listeria, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening infection in some cases, has been found in some mini brie products produced by Eberle Spezialitäten AG.

Items containing chestnuts (batch number 146434, use-by date of November 25), garlic (146655), porcini mushrooms (146817 and 146662) and chilli (146656), with use-by dates of November 21, have been recalled.

The products were sold at Coop and Migros in Eastern Switzerland, including in St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen and Graubünden.

The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) recommends that anyone who has purchased these products avoid eating them.

Image credit: Eberle Spezialitäten AG shared by the Federal Council

Listeria also detected in soft cheese at Lidl

Separately, cheese producer Strähl Käse AG has also recalled several cheeses sold at Lidl that may also contain Listeria, according to Watson. The recall affects soft cheeses with a use-by date between November 13 and December 4, across nature, chilli and green pepper varieties.

Customers who bought any of the recalled cheeses can return them to their local branch for a refund, even without a receipt.

Image credit: Lidl shared by Watson

Health risks associated with Listeria

If contracted, Listeria monocytogenes can generally cause mild symptoms in people with a healthy immune system.

Certain people, including newborns, young children, the elderly and pregnant women, can, however, develop "a range of severe symptoms" which can "sometimes [be] fatal."

Anyone who has consumed a potentially affected product and is concerned should speak to their doctor.