DESSERT RECALL
Cadbury Dairy Milk desserts recalled amid fears they contain deadly listeria bacteria that can cause sepsis and meningitis
TWO Cadbury desserts have been pulled from supermarket shelves over fears they contain a potentially deadly strain of bacteria.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Cheesecake and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Cheesecake puddings should be returned and not eaten, the Food Standards Agency has warned.
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The recall is due to "the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes"- a bacteria with 20 known subspecies.
If eaten Listeria can cause listeriosis, an illness that can lead to sepsis, meningitis and encephalitis.
Symptoms can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis and life-threatening infections.
Up to 20 to 30 per cent of food borne listeriosis infections in high-risk individuals - such as the elderly, frail or pregnant women -may be fatal.
A spokesperson for Müller, which produces the desserts, told : "As a precautionary measure a decision has been taken to recall some batches of Cadbury Caramel Cheesecake and Cadbury Dairy Milk Cheesecake deserts (2x85g), due to the possible presence of Listeria in the product.
"Müller 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.
"We have informed the Food Standards Agency of this action and they have issued a Product Information Recall Notice.
"This is an isolated incident and an extensive investigation is being carried out."
Consumers are advised to return the products by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01630 692000.
In April, LIDL was forced to recall a hazelnut and chocolate spread over fears it could trigger potentially deadly allergic reactions.
In the same month, Argos recalled over a dozen pillows and mattress toppers over fears they could be a fire risk and Smyths and Very withdrew Cry Babies Nala doll over toxic chemical fears.
What is listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is the species of pathogenic bacteria which can cause the infection listeriosis if ingested.
It can grow and reproduce inside the host's cells and is one of the most virulent food based pathogens.
Symptoms can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis and life-threatening infections.
Up to 20 to 30 per cent of food borne listeriosis infections in high-risk individuals may be fatal.
In the European Union listeriosis is on an upward trend that began in 2008, causing 2,161 confirmed cases and 210 reported deaths in 2014, 16 per cent more than in 2013.
It has already been linked to 11 deaths across Europe including two in Britain.
The deadly disease is a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.
Your product recall rights
PRODUCT recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full redund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
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