British medical experts are looking into the cases of five people who contracted listeria after eating puddings supplied to NHS hospitals and care homes.
Of the five cases, three people died and two were hospitalised. One death was recorded as listeriosis – an infection caused by consuming food that has been contaminated with listeria bacteria – and the two other people were known to be infected with the bacteria at the time of their passing.
The other two cases are comprised of two individuals who were hospitalised with the illness between May and December last year. The investigation is being carried out by members of the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
According to the experts, the bacteria was found in a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse, both supplied by Cool Delight Desserts. However, it has not been confirmed that they are the source of infections.
The PA news agency have since reported that the threshold of listeria found in the puddings was known to be below the legal amount humans can consume, though the FSA has said the desserts are being removed from the supply chain while the investigation is ongoing.
Within the five cases, the individuals were aged between 68 and 89 and all had underlying health conditions. They were all also in hospital at the same time that they caught the infection.
‘We are investigating a small number of cases of listeria. The cause of outbreak isn’t confirmed yet,’ Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at UKHSA said. ‘However, our laboratory testing has identified a potential link to a particular type of dessert, which is not available from retailers but is served in some NHS Trusts.’
‘Working with the FSA, on a precautionary basis, we have advised NHS Trusts and those providing care to vulnerable people to stop serving these desserts while investigations are underway,’ she added.
This outbreak of listeria, which Dr Godbole said can cause very severe risks in pregnancy and babies up to one month old as well as vulnerable older people, was discovered as part of a routine surveillance in February 2025 at a Southwest NHS hospital.
Photo by SJ Objio via UnSplash
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