Listeria alert in Spain: check your fridge for Priégola milk and cream

Spain's consumer ministry issued a food alert on Tuesday over possible listeria in several dairy products from the Priégola brand. If you shop in Madrid or the Valencia region, it's worth a quick look in your fridge.

According to the Madrid regional government, the products were pulled before they reached consumers, and so far there are no known cases.

What happened?

The alert was passed on by the Madrid regional government through SCIRI, Spain's rapid information exchange system for food safety. Aesan, the national food safety agency, says it was a preventive recall after the company's own internal checks.

The affected batches are 299, 300, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309 and 310. The products are:

• Priégola fresh whole milk, 1 litre
• Priégola fresh semi-skimmed milk, 1 litre
• Priégola fresh skimmed milk, 1 litre
• Priégola lactose-free semi-skimmed milk, 1 litre
• Priégola Lában Cremoso (fermented milk), 1 litre
• Priégola Simbiotic Drink (fermented milk), 500 ml
• Priégola fresh cream, 1 litre and 250 ml

Where were they sold?

Initial distribution went to Madrid and the Valencia region. Authorities say it can't be ruled out that some stock was redistributed to other regions. Local health authorities have been asked to check that the products are gone from shops.

Why does listeria matter?

Listeria causes listeriosis, an illness with vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach upset. It can be very serious for pregnant women and babies.

What should you do?

If you have any of these batches at home, don't consume them. If you have eaten one and have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or fever, contact a health centre.

If you are pregnant, Aesan advises checking its guidance on food hygiene and on foods to avoid during pregnancy. The ministry has also published a video on preventing listeriosis, stressing the need to take extra care to avoid cross-contamination with other foods.