Supermarkets across the UK have pulled Cadbury Caramel Cheesecakes and Dairy Milk Cheesecakes over fears they contain Listeria.
The Food Standard Agency (FSA) are urging shoppers not to eat these desserts, and return any to their local supermarket immediately. Muller, who produces the desserts, has confirmed this by saying they’re being recalled ‘due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes’.
This bacteria is incredibly dangerous as it can cause listeriosis, leading to high temperature, muscle ache, chills, nausea and diarrhoea. In extreme cases it can even lead to complications such as meningitis and other serious infections.
Listeriosis can be caught from different types of food, but it’s mainly a problem with dairy and ready-to-eat meats such as pre-packed sandwiches and deli meat. It’s known to affect unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses too.
11 people have been affected by listeriosis since 2015, resulting in the deaths of two people in 2017, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
People who have weaker immune systems, the elderly, infants and pregnant women are at high risk of developing the condition, so extra precaution should be taken if you or anyone you know falls into these categories.
If you have either of these desserts in your fridge, be sure to keep them away from family members and return them as soon as you can.
Regarding these fears, a spokesperson from Muller UK said ‘We are recalling Cadbury Dairy Milk Cheesecake and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Cheesecake dessert products as a precaution due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products.
Muller produces these products under license from Cadbury and has stressed that this does not impact any other products it produces for Cadbury; or Cadbury Cheesecake variants in the UK or other markets.’
The company have also stressed that this is an isolated incident, and an ‘extensive investigation’ is being carried out to find out the source of the problem.
It’s best to avoid these desserts until confirmation that they’re safe to buy and eat once again.
