The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) warns consumers that unpasteurized sheep’s cheese bryndza from the Slovak producer Agrofarma spol. s r. o. was sold on the Czech market, in which the producer detected the presence of pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The product was delivered to the Czech Republic to the Makro and Penny Market retail chains. Almost 1.5 tons of cheese were delivered to the Czech Republic. Consumers who have the product at home should not consume it and should return it to the place of purchase.

Product identification:

Name: Bryndza full-fat 250 g
Manufacturer: Agrofarma, spol. s r. o.; Červený Kameň; Slovakia
Use-by date: 31.12.2025
Batch number: L171225
Quantity: 1,461 kg

The SVS received information about the presence of the defective product on the Czech market through the RASFF rapid alert system from the Slovak supervisory authorities. According to this information, the laboratory detected listeria in the above-mentioned product in samples that the manufacturer itself had tested. It then reported its findings to the local supervisory authorities. In the Czech Republic, the cheese was destined for the distribution warehouses of the two chains mentioned above. In addition to the Czech market, part of the batch was also destined for Hungary.

Unsold packages are currently being withdrawn from the market. The products withdrawn from sale will be disposed of safely at the manufacturer’s expense.

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can cause a disease called listeriosis. It can enter the human body through improperly handled or stored food, for example. Healthy individuals can usually cope with low doses of listeria without any problems. However, these bacteria can pose a danger to people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, children, and pregnant women. The proliferation of bacteria in food of animal origin can be prevented by proper food storage. It is particularly important to observe the use-by date and store food at the temperatures recommended by the manufacturer. The bacteria can then be reliably destroyed by sufficient heat treatment of the food.

Petr Majer
Deputy Press Officer, SVS

Source: Bryndza od slovenského výrobce obsahovala listerie – Státní veterinární správa