Urgent warning as popular cheese removed from supermarket shelves over deadly bacteria contamination fears

SEVERAL packs of popular cheeses have been pulled from supermarket shelves over fears they could be contaminated with a deadly bug.

Officials urged Brits not to eat three goats cheese products stocked in Tesco, Waitrose and the Co-op.

It is feared the cheeses, which all have best before dates of May 26, contain the bacteria listeria.

Symptoms of the bug are flu-like and include fever, muscle aches or pains and vomiting and diarrhoea.

And in severe cases, the illness can kill.

In a to customers today, the manufacturer said the recall was "precautionary", measure over concerns that these cheese may contain the bug.

Brits who fear they have bought a contaminated product are told not to eat it and to contact the seller for more information.

One recall is for the Cricket St Thomas Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g, with a best before date of May 26. 

The other two recalls are for Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 100g and Somerset Capricorn Goat Cheese 85g, both also with a best before date of May 26.  

The Co-op's recall meanwhile concerns the Co-op Goats Cheese 85g with a best before date of May 26. 

It comes after the Food Standard Agency said in March a Brit had died from listeria in an outbreak linked to contaminated supermarket cheese.

It recalled several batches of Baronet cheeses made by the Old Cheese Room in Wiltshire.

And last month the FSA recalled 26 cheeses made by The Cambridge Food Company.

Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, people with health conditions or on immunosuppressant medication, and those over 65.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing listeriosis by around 20 times.

It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in their newborn babies.

More serious infections such as severe sepsis and meningitis can develop in those with weakened immune systems or those over 65 years of age.

People with cancer, organ transplants, HIV or taking oral steroids are just some of the other vulnerable groups. 

The mortality rate of severe listeriosis, affecting higher-risk people, is 20 to 30 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation.

Symptoms to watch for

For most people, listeriosis is a mild illness that gets better on its own.

You may experience:

• A high temperature of 38C or above
• Aches and pains
• Chills
• Feeling or being sick
• Diarrhoea

Signs of a more serious infection include:

• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

Pregnant women may also have:

• A stomach ache
• Feel their baby moving less than usual