SINGAPORE — The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered an importer here to recall a particular type of goat cheese from France.

Two batches of “Crottin De Pays” goat cheese were found to have a high count of Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria, and the European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has issued a notification for it to be recalled. 

In a media statement on Tuesday (July 9), SFA said that the batches of goat cheese have not been distributed to the market for sale and are stored in the importer’s warehouse. 

While the E coli bacteria exists normally in human intestines, some types can make people sick, with symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever and, sometimes, vomiting. 

SFA warns consumers that there are risks involved in eating cheese made from unpasteurised milk. The Crottin De Pays cheese being recalled is made from unpasteurised goat’s milk.  

Compared with pasteurised milk, unpasteurised milk is likely to contain more bacteria and pathogens, including E coli, which can cause food poisoning. 

Young children, pregnant women, elderly people or those who have chronic illness are advised to avoid consuming unpasteurised products.