UK health officials investigating listeria outbreak that has killed 3

Health officials in the United Kingdom are investigating a fatal Listeria outbreak linked to desserts supplied to the National Health Service.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) are investigating five cases of Listeria monocytogenes. Patients were identified from May to December 2024 with two in Yorkshire and Humber and one each in the North West and West Midlands regions of England, plus one in Wales.

The median age of cases is 87 and they range from 68 to 89 years old. All patients have underlying health conditions and were hospitalized. Some had a hospital stay leading up to their infection. Three people have died, including one where Listeria monocytogenes was reported as the cause of death.

UKHSA has informed health and social care professionals about the investigation and its association with Cool Delight Desserts supplied to the NHS.

Positive product testing
Listeria monocytogenes has been detected twice in foods and matches clinical isolates: a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse both sampled in February 2025 at an NHS hospital in the South West, as part of routine surveillance.

Both mousses were supplied by Cool Delight Desserts, which are working with local authorities and the FSA as part of the investigation. Levels of Listeria monocytogenes were below the regulatory threshold of 100 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g).

A representative from Cool Delight Desserts told Food Safety News that the company was in ongoing discussions with the FSA and was unable to comment until the investigations were concluded.

Officials are recommending healthcare facilities do not serve desserts from Cool Delight while investigations are ongoing and until further notice. Products have a 2-year shelf life.

A food alert for action has been issued by the Food Standards Agency for products potentially contaminated with Listeria. This affects frozen, ready to eat desserts produced by Cool Delight Desserts and supplied from B & A Susca, an ice cream shop in Hyde.

All pack sizes, best before dates, and batch codes of Cool Delight Desserts ice cream, ice cream rolls, mousses and yoghurts are affected.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten the affected products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/03/uk-health-officials-investigating-listeria-outbreak-that-has-killed-3/