Singapore recalls French cheese over Listeria contamination concerns

SINGAPORE, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Food Agency has announced a recall of a French soft cheese due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency reported that the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, a cross-border information network, had flagged the recall of "Nangis Lait Cru Truffe Noire 3%" from France.

The affected cheese, made from raw milk filled with black truffle, was imported into Singapore. The agency has instructed the importer, the Cheese Shop Pte. Ltd., to remove the product from sale.

Consumers who have purchased the cheese are advised not to consume it. Those who have already consumed the product and are concerned about their health should seek medical attention, the agency added.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. The illness can be particularly severe or fatal for pregnant women, infants, and individuals with weakened immune systems. ■