Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s food safety agency has issued two fresh alerts affecting products sold in several regions, including fresh cow’s cheese linked to Listeria and a refrigerated dessert containing undeclared almonds.
The latest food alerts in Spain were published by AESAN on Tuesday, 2 June. One warning concerns Listeria monocytogenes detected in fresh cow’s cheese sold under several brands. The second is aimed specifically at people with an almond allergy, after almonds were found in a La Lechera dessert despite not appearing on the label.
AESAN says affected products should not be consumed where the warning applies. The agency has passed the information to regional authorities through Spain’s rapid food alert system so withdrawals can be checked.
What readers need to know
The cheese alert is the more serious public-health warning. AESAN advises anyone with affected products at home not to eat them.
The dessert alert is different. It concerns people who are allergic to almonds. AESAN says the product does not pose a risk to the rest of the population.
Anyone who has bought either product should check the brand, product name, packaging, expiry date and any lot information before using it.
Listeria alert for fresh cow’s cheese
AESAN says it was informed by the Aragón health authorities of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh cow’s cheese from Spain. The alert affects cheese with expiry dates before 1 August 2026.
The brands listed by AESAN are Al pie de la vaca, Cabrera, Haciendita de Liri, De la vaca and La Buona Mucca. The affected cheeses were sold in packs of 2 kg, 250 g, 300 g, and 320 g.
According to the information available to AESAN, initial distribution reached Aragón, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Madrid, Murcia and the Valencian Community. However, the agency says redistribution to other regions cannot be ruled out.
What to do if you have affected cheese
People who have affected cheese at home should not consume it.
AESAN advises anyone who has eaten one of the affected products and develops symptoms compatible with listeriosis, such as vomiting, diarrhoea or fever, to contact a health centre. Pregnant women are also advised to follow AESAN’s food hygiene guidance, as Listeria is one of the biological risks of particular concern during pregnancy.
The agency also reminds consumers to take care over cross-contamination. That means keeping affected products away from other foods, surfaces and utensils until they can be safely disposed of or returned.
Why Listeria matters
Listeria can cause foodborne illness. For many healthy adults, symptoms may be mild or pass without serious complications. However, the infection can be more dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older people and those with weakened immune systems.
Fresh cheeses are a particular concern because they are often eaten without cooking. That makes recall advice important, especially when products may already be in domestic fridges.
The safest approach is to check the exact brand and expiry details against the AESAN alert rather than relying on memory or appearance alone.
Almond allergy warning for La Lechera dessert
AESAN has also warned people with an almond allergy about a refrigerated dessert sold under the La Lechera brand.
The product is Delicias de galleta María, sold in packs of two 125g units. AESAN says almonds were found in the product but were not included on the label. The affected expiry date or lot is 30/06.
The alert came through Spain’s SCIRI rapid information system after notification by the health authorities in the Community of Madrid. AESAN says the issue was detected through the company’s own controls and reported to the authorities.
Who should avoid the dessert?
This warning is aimed at people allergic to almonds.
AESAN recommends that anyone with an almond allergy who has the affected La Lechera dessert at home should not consume it. The agency states clearly that the product does not pose a risk to people who are not allergic to almonds.
According to AESAN, distribution has reached almost all of Spain. That makes it worth checking domestic fridges, especially as the product is refrigerated and may already have been bought during a normal supermarket shop.
Why undeclared allergens are serious
Food allergen labelling is not a minor detail.
For someone with a serious almond allergy, undeclared ingredients can trigger a reaction even when the product appears safe. That is why alerts involving undeclared allergens are treated urgently, even if the food is harmless to most consumers.
People with severe allergies should also be cautious about serving food to children, guests or relatives without checking labels and recall notices.
How Spain’s food alert system works
AESAN receives and shares food safety information through SCIRI, Spain’s coordinated rapid information exchange system.
Once an alert is issued, the information is passed to the autonomous communities. Regional authorities can then verify withdrawals from shops, warehouses and other sales channels.
However, an alert does not mean every affected item has already left homes. Consumers still need to check products they have already bought.
What residents should check now
Anyone who has recently bought fresh cow’s cheese or La Lechera refrigerated desserts should check their fridge.
For the cheese alert, look for the affected brands and expiry dates before 1 August 2026. For the dessert alert, check for La Lechera Delicias de galleta María in two 125g packs with the affected 30/06 date.
Do not rely only on where the product was bought. The cheese alert includes several regions and possible redistribution elsewhere, while the dessert has been distributed across most of Spain.
A simple precaution at home
Food alerts can feel alarming, but the advice in this case is clear.
Affected fresh cheese should not be eaten. People with an almond allergy should avoid the affected La Lechera dessert. Anyone who feels unwell after consuming a recalled product should contact a health centre and explain what they have eaten.
For everyone else, the most useful step is practical: check the product name, brand, pack size and expiry date before using anything that matches the alert.
Images in article @AESAN