One person has died in an outbreak of Listeria as a Wiltshire-based cheese manufacturer recalls some of its products.

The Old Cheese Room, which is based in Corsham, has recalled its Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet soft cheeses after listeria monocytogenes were found in batches of the products.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers not to eat any of these products, as some of the recalled products contain “exceptionally high levels” of the bacteria, and to contact The Old Cheese Room for a full refund.

This includes pack sizes 1kg, 200g and 270g of the cheeses and the best before dates March 21 and 22, and April 4, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 18.

The warning comes as three cases were identified as being linked to a potential outbreak, including one person who has died.

But the FSA pointed out that Baronet has not been confirmed as the cause of this outbreak.

A spokesperson said: “Whole Genome Sequencing surveillance of listeriosis samples by UKHSA has identified three cases potentially linked to an outbreak. Sadly, one person has died.

“The outbreak strain has also been found in some food products and samples taken from food environments, however there is no confirmation that Baronet is the cause of this outbreak.”

Listeria can cause symptoms similar to flu, including high temperatures, muscle ache or pain, chills and sickness and diarrhoea.

But in some cases, the infection can be more severe and cause serious complications such as meningitis.

Pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies under a month old, over 65s and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the infection.

FSA’s head of incidents, Tina Potter, said: “Due to this outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, we are urging consumers who are vulnerable to Listeria infection – including people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems to ensure they follow the advice in the product recall notices, which details all the products which may pose a risk.  

“We are also asking people to make sure that elderly relatives who may have purchased the recalled items, and who are at particular risk, are aware of the recall and observe the advice.

“Some foods carry a greater risk of listeria than others. These include soft cheeses, pate, smoked fish, chilled sliced meats and other chilled ready to eat products.”

Those who have purchased recalled products should not eat them. They should clean surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and ensure their fridges are kept at five degrees or below to prevent bacteria growth.