Lidl urgently recalls cheddar cheese over fears it can cause flu-like symptoms

Listeria can cause flu like symptoms and even meningitis in severe cases

Lidl has increased its market share over the past year (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Archive)

Lidl has issued an urgent recall of infected cheddar cheese over fears it can cause flu-like symptoms and severe infections to babies, the elderly and pregnant women.

Some Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedges, sold in branches of the budget supermarket in Northern Ireland, were found to contain a dangerous bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.

The batches of the spicy cheese being recalled have a best before date of May 5, Lidl said in posters being put up in affected stores.

In a statement, the Food Standards Agency said: “Lidl Northern Ireland is recalling a batch of Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in this product.

(FSA)

“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.

“If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return the product to where it was bought for a full refund.”

Symptoms caused by this bacteria 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.

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.

Last month, Braga Fresh’s ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets was also recalled, after the product was sold at Walmart stores in 20 different states. The broccoli was recalled because of the possibility it was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can also cause intestinal illness.

The possible listeria contamination of Braga Fresh’s broccoli “was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result,” according to the FDA.