M&S recalls ‘contaminated’ cheese over deadly bacteria fears

Marks and Spencer has urged shoppers to check their fridges after recalling one of its cheeses over fears it could be contaminated.

The supermarket chain and Food Standards Agency have issued a recall for one of its products.

There are concerns that the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes could be present in the M&S Truffle Gouda.

The affected cheese has the product code 29424887 and a use-by date of October 9, 2026.

Customers are being warned not to eat the batch of Gouda and instead to return it to their nearest M&S store for a full refund.

Currently, the recall specifically applies to Northern Ireland.

M&S stores in the region that sell the Truffle Gouda have been told to display in-store notices alerting customers to the issue.

In a statement, M&S said: ‘Please do not consume this product. Any customers in possession of this product can return it to their nearest store where a full refund will be given.

‘Only the displayed date codes are impacted. No other M&S products are affected.’

Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency’s Risk Statement added: ‘Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.’

Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause listeriosis, an infection which is usually mild but can be particularly dangerous for people who are pregnant, elderly or have weakened immune systems.

Sometimes, Listeria infections can be more severe and cause ‘serious complications’ like meningitis.

The FSA continued: ‘Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.’