Customers are being warned to check their fridges for yoghurts which may be contaminated with a potentially deadly bacteria. 

Six popular Cadbury’s chocolate yoghurt products were recalled over the bank holiday weekend because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The items are the Daim, Dairy Milk Buttons, and Dairy Milk Chunks chocolate deserts with a use by date of May 18; Crunchie and Flake chocolate desserts with a use by date of May 17; and a six-pack of Cadbury Heroes Chocolate Desserts with a use by date of May 18. 

“Müller has taken the precautionary step of recalling some batches of various Cadbury branded dessert products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes,” the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said in a food alert issued late Monday night. 

Symptoms of a listeria infection are normally mild and flu-like but can be more serious, and potentially life-threatening, in more vulnerable individuals. 

A fever, chills and muscles aches are common signs of infections, as are sickness and diarrhoea. 

Over 65s, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to listeria infections. 

Cases of listeria infection have been found in soft cheeses, raw fish and some dairy products so far this year. One person died after eating a baronet semi-soft cheese. 

Listeriosis is a form of food poisoning caused by the bacterium, and most people who are affected get mild gastroenteritis which subsides in a few days.

The FSA has said people with affected batches, which may be contaminated, should not eat them and return them to the store they purchased the items from for a full refund, with or without a receipt. 

The FSA, Cadbury’s and Muller have all been contacted for comment.