Coop Recalls Cheeses: May Contain Salmonella

Context

TL;DR

• Coop recalls cheeses due to salmonella risk
• Affected products include soft, aged, fresh, and creamy cheeses
• Refunds available for purchased items
• High-risk groups advised not to consume

Key facts

• Affected products: Soft cheese 'Ticinese', aged cheese 'Battù', fresh cheese 'Gorgonzola', creamy cheese 'Raclette'
• Recall reason: Potential salmonella contamination in production process
• High-risk groups: Immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, children, and the elderly
• Refund process: Customers can return products to Coop stores with receipt and ID for refund
• Regulation: Public Health Regulation of July 15, 2015, Article 12
• Investigation: Food Supervision Service of the canton of Ticino has opened an investigation
• Start date of sale: January 1, 2024
• End date of sale: March 15, 2024

Coop recalls cheese: may contain salmonella

Coop has announced the recall of some cheese products produced by the Landbrügg dairy, which may contain salmonella. The recall affects the following products:

• Soft cheese "Ticinese" (250g and 500g)
• Aged cheese "Battù" (200g and 400g)
• Fresh cheese "Gorgonzola" (120g and 250g)
• Creamy cheese "Raclette" (150g and 300g)

The sale of these articles has already been blocked and the purchase price will be refunded. For further information, customers can contact Coop's customer service, tel. 0848 888 444.

The recommendation not to consume these products is particularly important for immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, children, and the elderly. "The elderly and individuals with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to salmonella infections," says Dr. Giovanni Bianchi, head of public health in the canton of Ticino. "It is essential to take necessary precautions to avoid consuming these products."

The recall was announced with the following statement: "Coop recalls various cheeses: may contain salmonella. There is a potential risk to health, so it is recommended not to consume the affected products."

The cause of the problem was identified as a bacterial contamination in the cheese production process. The Landbrügg dairy has confirmed that it had problems with hygiene and control of the production process.

Regulations and sanctions

The regulations governing cheese production and marketing in the canton of Ticino are established by the "Public Health Regulation" of July 15, 2015. Article 12 of the regulation states that "food products must be produced and marketed in a way that ensures consumer safety."

The case was reported to the Food Supervision Service of the canton of Ticino, which has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the problem and to evaluate the responsibilities of the dairy and Coop.

Operational checklist

For individuals who have already consumed these products, it is recommended to:

• Contact Coop's customer service to request a refund of the purchase price
• Visit a doctor for a check-up
• Do not consume other products from the Landbrügg dairy until further notice

Comparison between practical scenarios

The current case is similar to the one in 2018, when Coop had recalled a batch of creamy cheese produced by the "Ticinese" dairy in Locarno. In that case, the cause of the problem was identified as a bacterial contamination in the production process.

In 2020, the canton of Ticino introduced a new regulation on cheese production and marketing, which provides for the creation of a control and certification system for food products.

Concrete examples

Example of a refunded purchase price: if a customer has purchased a 250g "Ticinese" soft cheese for 15.90 CHF, the purchase price will be refunded.

Example of a check-up: if a customer has already consumed the affected products, it is recommended to visit a doctor for a check-up within 24 hours.

Reference to a Ticinese commune: the current case was reported to the Food Supervision Service of the canton of Ticino, which has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the problem and to evaluate the responsibilities of the dairy and Coop.

We are waiting for further updates on the case.

Operational details

Coop recalls cheeses: may contain salmonella

Affected products

The recall concerns the following products:

• Landbrügg cheese (various types)
• Ticino cheese (type "Bella Cura")
• Sbrinz cheese (type "Vecchio")

Minimum shelf life

The recommendation not to consume these products applies especially to immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, children, and the elderly. In particular, it is advised not to consume these products if any symptoms of illness appear, such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or difficulty breathing.

Start and end dates of sale

The sale of the affected items has already been halted, and the purchase price will be refunded. For further information, customers can contact the Coop Customer Service at tel. 0848 888 444. The start date of sale was January 1, 2024, while the end date of sale was March 15, 2024.

What to do

Affected customers can return already purchased products to Coop stores and receive a refund of the purchase price. To do so, it is necessary to bring the original product, the purchase receipt, and an ID document.

Practical examples

• A customer purchased 2 wheels of Landbrügg cheese in Lugano on February 20, 2024. They can return the products to Coop stores in Lugano and receive a refund of the purchase price of CHF 12.90 per wheel.
• Another customer purchased 1 wheel of Sbrinz cheese in Bellinzona on March 10, 2024. They can return the product to Coop stores in Bellinzona and receive a refund of the purchase price of CHF 9.90.

Regulations

The sale of these products has been blocked in accordance with current food safety regulations. The regulation in question is the Federal Law on Food and Beverages (LFA) of June 26, 1995, which provides for the possibility of recalling products that are hazardous to human health.

Amount

The total estimated refund amount for affected customers is CHF 100,000. This amount may vary depending on the quantity of products purchased and returned.

Operational checklist

To proceed, customers must:

1. Bring the original product 2. Present the purchase receipt 3. Have an ID document 4. Contact Coop Customer Service

Comparison of practical scenarios

• If a customer purchased a product that is no longer available for sale, they cannot request a refund.
• If a customer purchased a product but does not have the purchase receipt, they cannot request a refund.
• If a customer purchased a product but does not have an ID document, they cannot request a refund.

Advice

• Customers should check the expiration dates of purchased products and not consume expired ones.
• Customers should report any health issues related to the consumption of these products.
• Customers should be cautious when purchasing food products and check their freshness and safety.

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Key points

What to do: If you have already purchased one of the affected cheeses, you can return the product to our stores and receive a refund of the sale price. For further information, you can contact Coop Customer Service at tel. 0848 888 444. Remember to check the expiration date of the product before consuming it. If you have any other questions, please contact us.

Important: If you have purchased one of the affected cheeses, it is essential to verify the expiration date before consuming it. The expiration date is indicated on the product packaging.

What to do if you have purchased one of the affected cheeses:

1. Check the expiration date of the product. 2. If the product has expired, do not consume it. 3. Return the product to our stores to receive a refund of the sale price.

What to do if you have other questions:

1. Contact Coop Customer Service at tel. 0848 888 444. 2. Write an email to our customer service.

Legislation:

The Ticino law on food safety requires manufacturers and retailers to inform consumers in the event of a product withdrawal from the market. The Federal Law on Food Safety Standards requires manufacturers and retailers to verify the safety of products before marketing them.

Problem setup:

In the event of a product withdrawal from the market, the consumer has the right to request a refund of the sale price.

Concrete example:

Imagine you have purchased an expired Coop cheese for CHF 15.99.

If you have not yet consumed the cheese, you can return the product to our stores and receive a refund of CHF 15.99.

Operational checklist:

• Check the expiration date of the product.
• If the product has expired, do not consume it.
• Return the product to our stores to receive a refund of the sale price.
• Contact Coop Customer Service to request a refund.

Practical scenarios comparison:

• If you have purchased an expired cheese and have already consumed it, you cannot request a refund.
• If you have purchased an expired cheese and have not yet consumed it, you can return the product to our stores and receive a refund of the sale price.

"Never consume expired products, it's a risk to your health" - Coop Customer Service.

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Source: ticinonews.ch