SFA recalls French raw milk cheese products over presence of toxin
Singapore's Food Agency has ordered a recall of raw milk cheese brought in from France over fears of bacterial contamination. The products, made by Fromagerie Gillot, may contain Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, a bug that can cause serious illness. European authorities had already pulled the cheese from shelves, and because some of it reached Singapore, local action followed on Friday. The agency directed the importers, Cold Storage and Little Farms, to take the items off sale, and the recall is still in progress. Contaminated cheese can look and smell completely normal, which leaves shoppers with little to go on. An infection can bring on vomiting and serious stomach cramps, often starting with diarrhoea. Raw or unpasteurised milk products carry the highest risk of passing the bacteria along. Customers who bought the affected cheese have been told not to eat it.
European authorities have recalled Fromagerie Gillot raw milk cheese products from France due to the potential presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on Friday (Oct 9) that as the products were brought into Singapore, it has directed the importers, Cold Storage and Little Farms, to recall the products. The recall is ongoing, added SFA. STEC infection can occur by consuming contaminated food, particularly raw or unpasteurised milk and its products.Food contaminated with the toxin may not look or smell spoilt but can cause serious infections. Symptoms of STEC infection can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised not to consume them.Those who have already eaten the products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice.Consumers may also contact their point of purchase for more information.[[nid:747230 esther.lam@asiaone.com