Three people have died and two are sick after eating contaminated food in hospital. It is understood all five had eaten desserts which contained listeria - a bacteria which can cause a serious infection in people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women.
Experts have said they believe the source of the outbreak was from Cool Light Deserts' chocolate mousses and ice creams. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are carrying out a joint investigation in the deaths and potential outbreak.
They said they were looking into five cases of Listeria monocytogenes in patients from across the UK from May to December 2024. There were two in Yorkshire and Humber and one each in the North West and West Midlands regions of England, and one in Wales.
According to Food Safety News Listeria monocytogenes has been detected twice in foods - a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse. Both were sampled in February 2025 at an NHS hospital in the South West, as part of routine surveillance.
However the products have a two-year shelf life. The FSA has issued a precautionary recall of all chilled desserts supplied by the firm including ice cream, ice cream cream rolls, mousses and yoghurts.
But what is listeria and what symptoms are there if you are affected by a contaminated product. According to the NHS there are key signs to watch for - and there is a time when you need to seek urgent help.
What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by bacteria called listeria. It usually goes away on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill.
What causes listeriosis?
Listeriosis is usually caused by eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria. The NHS says listeria can contaminate a wide range of foods, but most infections are caused by eating chilled, ready-to-eat foods, such as:
- cold, cooked sliced meats and cured meats
- smoked and cured fish – including in sushi
- cooked shellfish
- soft mould-ripened cheeses (such as camembert and brie) and blue-veined cheeses
- pâté
- pre-prepared sandwiches and salads
- pre-cut fruit (such as pre-packed melon slices)
- unpasteurised milk
- dairy products made from unpasteurised milk
Although it's less common, you can also catch listeriosis from:
- someone else who has it – for example, if you eat food they've handled when they've not washed their hands
- close contact with farm animals – especially sheep and cows that are giving birth
Symptoms
In most people, listeriosis has no symptoms or only causes mild symptoms for a few days. These can include:
- a high temperature
- aches and pains
- chills
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
If you're pregnant, you may also have a stomach ache or notice your baby moving less than usual. Babies with listeriosis may also be irritable and feed less than usual.
Risks of listeriosis
Listeriosis is not usually serious for most people. But some people have a higher risk of serious problems, including:
- anyone who is pregnant
- newborn babies
- people with a condition that weakens their immune system, such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease
- people having treatment that weakens their immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroid tablets
Older people are also at higher risk of getting seriously ill from listeriosis, and this risk increases with age. If you get listeriosis while you're pregnant, there is a risk it could cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
In babies and people with a weakened immune system, listeriosis can sometimes lead to serious and life-threatening problems. These can include sepsis or meningitis.
When to seek medical help
The NHS advises you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you're pregnant and think you have listeriosis
- you have a condition that weakens your immune system (like cancer or kidney disease) and think you have listeriosis
- you're having treatment that weakens your immune system (like chemotherapy or steroid tablets) and think you have listeriosis
- you think your baby might have listeriosis
You can call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online. If you're pregnant, you can also call your midwife for advice.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
- have a severe headache and stiff neck
- find it uncomfortable to look at bright lights
- have a fit (seizure)
- feel suddenly confused
- feel very sleepy or are difficult to wake
- have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it – the rash may be blotchy, like bruises or small red pinpricks
These could be symptoms of meningitis caused by listeriosis. This needs to be treated in hospital straight away.
