Urgent recall for popular cheese over potentially deadly bacteria contamination as ‘do not eat’ warning is issued for Tesco product

A brand of Swiss cheese has been recalled amid fears of a potentially deadly bacteria contamination, the food watchdog has announced.

The Food Standards Authority has urged Tesco customers to return packs of Le Superbe Raclette, a full fat melting cheese made with pasteurised milk, over concerns about possible listeria contamination.

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria cause listeriosis, one of the most common forms of food poisoning. 

While listeriosis has fairly mild symptoms in most cases, it is considered dangerous to pregnant women, newborn babies, people with a weakened immune system and people aged over 65.

The mortality rate for the invasive form of the disease is 20-30%, according to the World Health Organisation, with symptoms ranging in severity from fever and muscle pain to septicemia and meningitis.

‘Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea,’ said the Food Standards Agency. 

‘However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.’

The recall, issued by manufacturer Castelli UK Ltd, only affects Tesco customers and relates to 150g packs of the cheese with a best before date of May 12.

Warning notices have been put up in Tesco stores where the product was sold, with consumers promised a full refund on returning the cheese. 

‘If you’ve bought an affected product with a best before date of 12/05/25, please don’t eat it,’ read a product recall notice on the store’s website. 

‘Instead, return it to a Tesco store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.’