Recall Details and Product Information
Marks & Spencer has issued an urgent recall of its M&S Food Truffle Gouda (150g) with a best-before date of October 9, 2026, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned customers not to eat the product and to return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Point-of-sale notices are being displayed in affected stores to alert shoppers and explain the recall.
Health Risks and Symptoms
An FSA spokesperson stated: “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. 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.
Nature of the Bacteria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that causes listeriosis, a foodborne infection that can be particularly serious for vulnerable groups. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria can survive and even multiply in refrigerated conditions and is resistant to salt and acidic environments. It is commonly found in contaminated foods such as unpasteurised dairy products, soft cheeses, deli meats, and improperly washed raw produce.
Potential Complications
For most healthy people, listeriosis causes mild, short-term symptoms similar to food poisoning. However, the bacteria can spread beyond the gut in some cases, entering the bloodstream and reaching other parts of the body. In rare but serious cases, it can cross into the central nervous system and cause bacterial meningitis—a potentially life-threatening condition involving inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Advice for Consumers
Customers who have purchased the cheese are advised: “Do not eat it. Instead, return it to where you bought it from for a full refund.” Health officials say anyone who has eaten the product and develops symptoms should seek medical advice, particularly if they fall into a higher-risk group.
