Camembert withdrawn from Asda, Sainsbury's and Co-op

Asda, Sainsbury's and Co-op's own top-brands of Camembert have been removed from their shelves over fears it is contaminated with Listeria; all three supermarkets source their Camembert from the same manufacturer in France. Listeria has been linked to miscarriages and can cause illnesses, particularly in those who have have weakened immune systems. The UK has seen a rise in the number of cases of Listeria in recent years and reports say that this will raise questions over the food safety procedures in French cheese makers. Earlier this month, French company Fromagerie Beillevaire recalled batches of its 'Brie de Meaux a la Truffe' due to high levels of listeria.

Three high street chains have withdrawn camembert cheese over concerns it is contaminated with a bug that is a particular threat to pregnant women and babies in the womb.

Batches of the French cheese sold by Sainsbury’s, Asda and the Co-op are feared to be contaminated with Listeria.

The bug is linked to miscarriage and is also a danger to the elderly and people who are already sick and so have a weakened immune system.

Unlike other food poisoning bugs, such as campylobacter or salmonella, the symptoms, which range from a fever to convulsions, can take up to eight weeks to appear.

Batches of the cheese sold by Sainsbury’s, Asda and the Co-op are feared to be contaminated with Listeria

Sainsbury’s has issued a recall of its Taste the Difference Camembert following the discovery of low levels of ‎listeria monocytogenes.

Asda has recalled its Extra Special Camembert de Pays and the Co-op has done the same with its Truly Irresistible Camembert.

All three get their camembert from the same manufacturer in France.

The recalls raise questions about the food safety procedures of French cheese makers.

In January a company called Fromagerie Beillevaire recalled batches of its ‘Brie de Meaux à la Truffe’ from France because of high levels of listeria contamination.

The camembert recalls were made public by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the retailers have put up warning notices identifying the batches involved in their stores.

The FSA said: ‘Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness, particularly among vulnerable groups – these are pregnant women, unborn and newborn babies, those over 60 years old and anyone with a weakened immune system.’

Listeria (pictured) is linked to miscarriage. It is also a danger to the elderly and people who are already sick and so have a weakened immune system

The warning notice from Sainsbury’s states: ‘As a precautionary measure we are asking all customers who have bought these products not to consume or use them, and to return them to the nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they will receive a full refund.’

Listeria is a type of food poisoning bacteria that can live and grow in food, particularly chilled food such as pâté, cooked sliced meats, soft cheeses made with raw unpasteurised milk and smoked fish.

The UK has seen a spike in the number of cases of listeria in recent years.

British research suggests that as many as 23per cent of pregnant women who contract listeria food poisoning can suffer a miscarriage or still birth.