A listeria food safety warning has been issued over Baronet semi-soft cheeses after three cases were recently reported by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with one of these cases being fatal.
The outbreak has come from a small UK producer of cheese, The Old Cheese Room, which distributes cheese to various deli counters across the UK.
Whilst the specific Baronet semi-soft cheeses have been officially recalled, there may be people who remain unaware of this potential danger and/or have already consumed some of the potentially affected products.
The Old Cheese Room has issued a statement confirming that they are working closely with the FSA to investigate the outbreak and the potential source of the same.
Should you believe that you have purchased a potentially affected product, please return it to where you purchased the item from to ask the question. Further, should you become unwell and suspect it is listeria, please contact your GP as soon as possible. It is important to note that it can take two months from ingestion of the affected product for symptoms to appear.
What is listeria?
A listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, is an illness usually caused by consuming food or water contaminated by the listeria monocytogenes bacteria. It can also be caused by coming into contact with infected animals or people.
In most cases, it causes mild, flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, and diarrhoea, but in severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, meningitis or even prove to be fatal. It can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborn babies, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Preventative measures include thoroughly washing and cooking food, avoiding certain foods that are deemed high-risk, such as unpasteurised dairy products and deli meats, and generally being hygienic.
Treatment of a listeria infection generally involves antibiotics, but in more severe cases, the infected person may have to be hospitalised.
Listeria compensation claims
If you (or a loved one) contract listeria, you may be eligible to file a compensation claim against the party responsible for the contamination, such as a food manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.
To make a claim, you would need to gather evidence of the contamination, such as food or water samples, medical records, and any other relevant documentation.
If a person believes that they have suffered food poisoning it is important for them to visit their GP straight away, who will run tests to diagnose their illness. A confirmed diagnosis will help them if they decide to pursue a claim for compensation.
If a GP or hospital believes that food poisoning has occurred at a restaurant or from food purchased at a supermarket or shop, they must report it to the local Environmental Health Department. If the person does not go to a GP or hospital, they should report the case to the local Environmental Health Department.
The Environmental Health Department will then visit the food retailer and prepare a report. As well as hopefully preventing further occurrences, these reports can also be helpful as evidence in this type of case and can assist in proving negligence and/or breach of statutory duty.
The damages awarded for these types of cases vary but could include medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. Damages will largely be dependent on the severity of your infection, how it is impacted your life, and the overall strength of your case.
These types of claims are extremely complex, so if you are considering making a compensation claim, it is vital that you first obtain advice from a specialist solicitor who can advise you on your options and help you determine the best course of action.
How can we help?
Emma Howard is an Associate and Legal Executive in our expert Personal Injury team.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article or require any legal advice, please contact Emma or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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