Health officials have issued a warning after two people became ill with Listeriosis after consuming soft cheese from Austria.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) said no confirmed cases have yet been reported in Austria. One person in Germany and one person in the Czech Republic became ill with listeriosis after eating cheese from a Tyrolean manufacturer.
The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK) has asked AGES to investigate the Listeria outbreak.
Wilder Käser has initiated a product recall and informed the public.
The recall affects all lots of “Kleiner Stinker” through February 24, 2025 and all lots of “Großer Stinker” cheese through February 10, 2025. According to the recall, analyzes conducted as part of internal quality assurance revealed that “Kleiner Stinker ” and “Großer Stinker” from the Wilder Käser dairy were contaminated with Listeria.
Company closed and Czech findings
AGES reported that the business has closed and commercial customers have been notified. No more company products may be marketed. However, it cannot be ruled out that products are still available to private individuals or in the catering industry.
Due to the high level of Listeria contamination, authorities say it is strongly recommended not to consume the affected products under any circumstances, but to throw them away or return them to the point of sale.
Health officials in the Czech Republic warned against the consumption of “Großer Stinker Weichkäse” weighing 290 grams, batch 4507 and best before date January 18, 2025. The cheese is produced by Wilder Käser in Austria and distributed in the Czech Republic. Republic of Tyrolean Bauernstandl.
Based on a complaint of illness from a consumer after consuming “Großer Stinker Weichkäse mit Rotkultur” from batch 4205 and with an expiry date of December 25, 2024, an inspection was initiated with the help of the local authorities.
Although this batch was no longer available, samples of the same product from batch 4507 were taken for laboratory testing.
The results showed that all samples significantly exceeded the European limit of 100 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) for Listeria monocytogenes.
Czech officials said information about the dangerous product was shared with other EU member states through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten a recalled product and developed symptoms of a Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell his or her doctor about the possible exposure to Listeria. Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to preterm labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
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