Thieves take 236 wheels of bacteria-tainted cheese

VADUZ, Liechtenstein, Sept. 17 (UPI) —

Liechtenstein food inspection authorities said 1.4 tons of cheese stolen from a storage area were contaminated with a dangerous bacteria.

The federal food inspection office said 236 wheels of the Alp Sucka cheese were stolen from open containers where they were being stored after inspectors found them to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, bacteria that cause the potentially life-threatening infection listeriosis.

The cheese was slated to be destroyed but officials said they are concerned the cheese could be illicitly sold to people who are unaware of the health risks.

Officials are recommending consumers throw out any Alp Sucka cheese purchased after Sept. 9.