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LISTERIA

Gorgonzola recall due to Listeria contamination

According to a report in the news daily Heute, a batch of Gorgonzola DOP cheese from Italian manufacturer CasArrigoni has been recalled due to infection with the deadly Listeria bacterium.

Gorgonzola recall due to Listeria contamination
Photo: Shutterstock

Gogonzola with Denomination of Protected Origin (DOP) certification must come only from cows pastured in the  Piedmont and Lombardy regions of Italy.

The Listeria bacteria has been responsible for several deaths in Austria as a result of contamination of cheese.

The cheese subject to recall was sold to cheese specialist Hinke at Vienna's Naschmarkt and Karmelitermarkt, cheese specialists Stix on a stand at the Freyung in Vienna, and through various markets in Lower Austria – Purkersdorf, St. Pölten, Tulln, Wilhelmsburg and Maria Taferl.

All batches in question were immediately withdrawn from sale. The product can be returned to the store which sold the cheese. Customers will receive the full purchase price and refund without a receipt.
 
Legend has it that Gorgonzola, which can be traced back to the fifteenth century, was the fruit of a romantic escapade of a cow-herder who, having abandoned his evening’s work midway to spend time in his lover’s arms, added the morning’s curd to that of the previous night creating a cheese that remains soft even when aged.
 
The cheese was punctured with sticks to allow it to dry out. The air channels created space for mold to grow in the cheese, giving it its signature look and flavor.
 
In related news, the product "Tann diced ham 150g fine", batch numbers 2144622550 (MHD: 12.12.14) were also found to contain Listeria, and are being recalled.  This product was sold by the Spar supermarket in Austria.
 
The consumption of listeria can be dangerous. Eight people have died, between June 2009 and February 2010 in Austria and Germany after consuming Listeria-contaminated Quargel cheese from the eastern Styrian plant of the dairy company Prolactal.
 
In August, a variety of chocolate-flavoured milk drinks were recalled due to suspected Listeria contamination.

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HEALTH

Two dead and 186 confirmed cases: What you need to know about the listeria outbreak sweeping across Spain

A second person has died and 186 people now affected after eating contaminated meat. Here's what you need to know about the listeria outbreak spreading across Spain.

Two dead and 186 confirmed cases: What you need to know about the listeria outbreak sweeping across Spain
Photo: alexraths/Depositphotos

Spain’s health ministry has issued an international alert over what is being called the biggest ever listeriosis outbreak to hit Spain.

Who has been affected?

The number of people confirmed to have been infected has reached 186 with dozens having been hospitalized, including 31 pregnant women.

But more than 500 other cases are suspected of being linked to the outbreak, confirmed the Ministry of health in a statement.

A 90-year-old woman became the first fatality linked to the outbreak, after she passed away in Seville's Virgen del Rocio hospital on Tuesday and on Friday a 72-year-old man, who was in palliative care suffering from pancreatic cancer, died after contracting listeriosis.

Among those who have fallen ill are at least 23 pregnant women, at least two of whom suffered miscarriages suspected to have been caused by the infection, said the Junta de Andalusia, one losing a baby in the 18th week of gestation, and another in her third trimester.

Ten members of the same family were being treated after they all shared a meal of contaminated meat during the fiesta on August 15th. Among them are a pregnant woman and two young girls.

What is listeria?


The listeria monocytogenes under the microscope.

Listeria is a commonly found bacteria and most people who consume foods that contain it do not become ill.

But for elderly people, pregnant women or those with serious conditions like diabetes or cancer, it poses a serious threat.

Listeriosis begins with flu-like symptoms including chills, fever and muscle aches. It can take up to six weeks after consuming contaminated foods for symptoms to occur.

The infection is caused by the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, which can grow in foods, especially soft cheese, unpasteurised milk, and smoked fish, which is why pregnant women are advised to avoid these. It can also grow on other food products, including salads, and can continue to replicate even when food is refrigerated at cold temperatures.

A recent report revealed that an average of 70 people die from Listeriosis each year in Spain.

Where has it been detected?

Most confirmed cases – 161 so far –  have been recorded in the southern region of Andalusia, where the packaged pork plant linked to the outbreak is situated.

But there have been other cases confirmed in Extremadura, Castile-Leon, Madrid, Aragon and as far away as Asturias and Catalonia.

Authorities have expressed concern over possible infection among tourists who may not suffer symptoms until they return home.

As well as issuing a national alert over the outbreak, Spain’s health ministry said it had issued alerts to EU authorities and the World Health Organization.

What's the source? 

The regional government of Andalusia warned last Thursday that meatloaf or pre-cooked meat, known as carne mechada was to blame. The source has been traced to contaminated meat sold under the commercial name “la Mecha” made by Seville-based company Magrudis. 

The entire batch of that particular product has been recalled from shops, the health ministry said, but consumer watchdog Facua warned that smaller stores may not have heeded the recall or that contaminated products could already have been bought and are in households awaiting consumption.

On  Wednesday, health authorities widened the recall to all the products manufactured in the Magrudis factory since May 1st and have closed the plant entirely.

“Obviously there was a failure to follow the established procedures,” acting health minister Maria Luisa Carcedo told reporters. “Now we need to carry out the inspections and investigations to figure out exactly where this failure took place.”

Further products were added to the list of possible contaminated meat, all from the Magrudis factory, that ceased manufactoring on August 15th when the outbreak came to light.

These include packets from the Magrudis brand labelled; Crema de carne mechada, Manteca colorá, Pringá estilo casero, Zurrapa de hígado, Zurrapa lomo blanca and Zurrapa lomo roja.

Controversy

Questions are being asked as to why it took so long to raise the alarm over the outbreak and for the contaminated meat to be recalled.

Regional health authorities in Andalucia admit that it was first detected on August 5th but wasn’t until August 15th that a health alert was issued.

Rubén Sánchez, head of Facua, has called for the immediate dismissal of Jesús Aguirre, Andalusia’s regional health minister, for his “disastrous mismanagement” of the outbreak.

READ MORE: What is it that makes living in Spain so healthy? 

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