Milcobel factory shuts down after listeria contamination: all cheeses blocked (Moorslede)

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Due to a listeria contamination, the Milcobel factory in Moorslede, where Oud Brugge cheese is produced, has been completely shut down. However, a recall is not on the agenda. “The contamination was discovered at the beginning of the production line, we wish to emphasize that no unsafe products have reached the consumer.”

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Arthur De Meyer

Today at 17:52—

The infection was diagnosed two weeks ago in a brine bath. “During an internal check, we found a very low concentration of listeria bacteria there,” says spokesperson Kathleen De Smedt. “It was way below the norm. Yet we have not taken any risks and proactively informed the FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chainred.) contacted, although we were under no obligation to do so.”

Listeria is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis. At best, an infection leads to flu-like symptoms, but in debilitated people, pregnant women and children, the course of the illness can be much more severe.

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It is not yet clear where the infection comes from. “We are currently faced with a conundrum. Normally, those bacteria cannot survive in brine. The investigation is ongoing, but in the meantime we have not found any more listeria in the production site concerned.” However, about nine tons of cheese had to be destroyed due to the contamination in the brine bath. “That sounds huge, but it’s only a fraction of what we produce on an annual basis. It concerns different cheeses, so there are no shortages of certain products in the making. However, as we have now opted for a ‘positive release’ – all products leaving our factory are checked – deliveries may be slightly delayed.”

Due to the contamination, Milcobel has reduced production in Moorslede to avoid cross-contamination. Also due to the longer duration – extra checks through ‘positive release’ before a product can leave the factory – Milcobel’s warehouses have been completely full since last Friday. Therefore, production was completely shut down.