Worried - Stinky Feta

[BlueBox81]

I bought some packaged feta from Sainsburys with a use by date of June 2024. When I opened it I noticed a strong smell that to me was similar to what you would get with a blue cheese. I've bought this feta loads of times before and it has a very mild smell usually. It looked normal so I risked it and ate some. It tasted a lot more tangy than usual so still suspicious but thought maybe a change of recipe or process.

DH came home and immediately asked what the terrible smell was and that something was seriously off. Am I going to have my head down the toilet for Christmas or is there any other explanation for the smell/taste (clutching at straws)? There was no slime, colour and texture normal, no signs of mould. Nothing else to say it was off...help

Yeah, sounds like you ate some slightly off feta. Nothing will happen. That's it.

Really you don't think food poisoning is likely? I googled and death came up as a possible outcome!

Decent feta always stinks! Did it taste ok? I suspect it was fine.

It tasted really strong when normally it doesn't have much taste. It made me feel sweaty when I was eating it in the way a powerful Stilton does.

Are you always this paranoid? If it's good feta, as someone else has said, then it is strong smelling and tasting.

But to eat enough to kill you, you'd need to have eaten more than a small amount. I buy feta by the kilo, and if I ate the lot and it was off, I'd be ill. Not dead.

Yes I am always this paranoid unfortunately! The problem is it's the normal brand of feta I buy and it's normally very mild so it's the fact it is different to normal and also my DH going on about the rancid stink! Hopefully they have just changed it up in some way. The fact you are calling me paranoid is actually reassuring so thank you 😊

Need to know if you were okay! I’m having the same thing as we speak.

Oh no so sorry you are also experiencing this! Good new is that there were no repercussions, I was absolutely fine. I've never bought that brand again though, the smell really was something else. Really not sure why I ate it 🤔
P.S. This is the OP under a different username

It's cheese! It's normal for it to smell! It's made with the same bacteria you have on your feet!