Müller recalls six Cadbury desserts over listeria concerns

Six Cadbury-branded desserts including Flake and Crunchie chocolate desserts have been recalled by their manufacturer over fears they could be contaminated with listeria.

The dairy company Müller, which produces the desserts, said it was recalling various batches in the UK and Ireland as a precaution, all of which have a use-by date of either 17 or 18 May.

The company is asking consumers not to eat the products and to return them to the store where they were bought.

The affected products include: Cadbury Daim chocolate dessert 75g (use by 18 May); Cadbury Crunchie chocolate dessert 75g (use by 17 May); Cadbury Flake chocolate dessert 75g (use by 17 May); Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons chocolate dessert 75g (use by 18 May); Cadbury Dairy Milk Chunks chocolate dessert 75g (use by 18 May); Cadbury Heroes chocolate dessert six x 75g (use by 18 May).

Issuing a food alert to consumers, the Food Standards Agency said Müller was recalling the products “because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes”.

The FSA said symptoms of a listeria infection, listeriosis, are usually mild and similar to those of flu. They can include a high temperature, muscle aches or pains, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

However, some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those aged over 65, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies who are less than a month old and people who have weakened immune systems.

In rare cases of severe infection there can be serious complications, such as meningitis.

Müller, which produces the desserts under licence from Cadbury, has also put notices at places where the affected products are sold.

It said in a statement: “Müller produces these products under licence from Mondelez International and has stressed that this does not impact any other products it produces in the UK or other markets.”

The company added: “This is an isolated incident, and an extensive investigation is being carried out.”

Any of the affected Cadbury products can be returned for a full refund, with or without a receipt.

In the past year, some goat cheeses, Baronet semi-soft cheeses and ready-to-eat smoked fish products have also been recalled in the UK over fears of contamination with listeria.

One person in the UK died as a result of a listeria outbreak.