Saputo recalling French Roquefort cheese over Staphylococcus contamination fear

By Mark ASTLEY

- Last updated on GMT

Saputo recalling French Roquefort cheese over Staphylococcus contamination fear

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Saputo is recalling almost a tonne of French Roquefort cheese in Canada over concerns it contains the toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria.

Quebec-based Saputo, Canada's largest dairy, yesterday announced it has initiated a recall for approximately 900kg of Papillon Roquefort cheese. 

The voluntary withdrawal was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tests, the country's food safety watchdog revealed.

papillon 100g
Papillon Roquefort is manufactured in France and distributed in Canada by Saputo.

Papillon Roquefort, manufactured by La Fromagerie Papillon in Roquefort sur Soulzon, France, is distributed by Saputo in Canada.

100g and 1.375kg half-wheel weights of Papillon Roquefort with a best before date up to and including September 15 2015 is affected by the recall, it said.

"The affected products were sold in retail grocery stores and foodservice channels,"​ Saputo said in the Health Hazard Alert issued yesterday. "If you believe you may have purchased an affected product, please return it to the place of purchase for a full refund."

"These products must not be consumed."

To date, there have been "no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products,"​ it added.

Recall other products?

In a Food Recall Warning issued yesterday, the CFIA warned consumers that food contaminated with the toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria may show no signs of being tainted.

“Food contaminated with Staphylococcus toxin may not look or smell spoiled,"​ it said. "The toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria is not easily destroyed at normal cooking temperatures."

"Common symptoms of Staphylococcus poisoning are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and fever. In severe cases of illness, headache, muscle cramping and changes in blood pressure and pulse rate may occur.”

As well as "monitoring the effectiveness"​ of Saputo's Papillon Roquefort recall, the CFIA is "conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products."

"If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings," ​it added.

Related topics Regulation & Safety Cheese

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