Photo credit - OCU - Spanish Consumers' Association
The Ministry of Health in Andalusia has issued an alert and initiated a product recall after the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a batch of queso fresco produced by Seville-based company Quesos Los Vázquez.
Quesos Los Vázquez SL, detected the bacteria in a batch of fresh goat and cow's milk cheese (250g pack) during the course of its own internal controls, and hence withdrew the product from sale and reported its findings to clients, consumers and authorities.
The affected lot is 0904-4 with an expiry date of 2-10-2021. It is sold in refrigerated 250g packs. The affected cheese has only been sold in Andalusia in various locations in the provinces of Cádiz, Huelva and Seville.
To date, no case of listeriosis associated with this new food alert have been reported. The problem has been reported and the contaminated product has been recalled, but if you have bought it in any of the aforementioned Andalusian provinces and have it at home, do not consume it, but return it to the point of purchase. If you have eaten this cheese and notice any symptoms compatible with listeriosis (vomiting, diarrhoea or fever) go to your local health centre and make sure to inform health professionals.
Listeria monocytogenes is a very common, very ubiquitous bacterium that easily contaminates different types of products (pâtés, meats, meat preparations and sausages, cheeses and dairy products made with raw milk, prepared dishes, vegetables ...). It also has the peculiarity that it resists refrigeration temperatures well and can only be killed by being subjected to high temperatures or pasteurised.
The symptoms of listeriosis can be gastrointestinal, but they are not the only ones: it can also cause fever, headache, muscle pain, malaise, weakness, and in severe cases it can even lead to encephalitis.
In healthy adults, listeriosis can usually be cured without much problem, but special care must be taken with pregnant women (a toxic infection of this type can have fatal consequences for the foetus) and young children, sick people, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
