Many cheeses are recalled in France due to a suspicion of contamination to Listeria. 21 people were contaminated and several cases were reported in four European countries.
In France, two people died after eating contaminated cheese. In total, 21 cases of listeriosis were identified, according to a government statement. This evokes a “possible link” with the massive recall of cheeses issued since August 9. These cheeses are precisely recalled because they are likely to be contaminated by Listeria, the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. The cheeses were sold in Lidl, U Brand, Leclerc, Aldi and Carrefour stores in particular, and some cheeses are marketed throughout France. The cheese products concerned have been sold in recent weeks, until August 9.
They are recalled due to a suspicion of contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes. It is a pathogenic bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection for some people such as pregnant women, the elderly or even immunocompromised. The infection is detectable with the occurrence of certain symptoms such as headaches, a high fever or even aches. The incubation period “can go up to eight weeks,” said the government. With 350 to 400 cases identified per year, listeriosis is the “second cause of death of food origin”, according to handles.
Other affected countries, a global epidemic?
But France is not ultimately the only country concerned. Indeed, according to information from BFMTV, “four other countries (Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway) reported four confirmed cases”, specifies a document from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), consulted by the continuous information chain, this Monday, August 18. “The cases (…) declared that they had consumed soft pasteurized cheese” implicated. Foreign patients are aged 35 to 70, with symptoms that appeared between April 14 and July 9, 2025, we learned.
That’s not all. The problematic cheeses have been sold in around 30 countries such as Australia, Switzerland, South Korea, Spain, Japan or the United States. “In order to protect consumers and as a preventive basis, food products have been recalled. The food security authorities in the countries concerned by the food distribution implement official control measures, in particular the publication of public warnings,” explains the European health organization.
What products are concerned?
The products concerned were all produced by the company Chavegrand. They were sold in France at Lidl (under the Silver Oak brand): the Camembert 250 g, the Coulommiers 350 g, the 200 g goat log, mixture log, oval cheese 300 g, double cream cheese. At System U: the brand U, Camembert of Character, Coulommiers. At Aldi: the “Sweet Sweet” Paturon, at Leclerc: the Camembert Chavegrand, at Carrefour: Le Filet 3 cheeses Chavegrand, the Coulommier Carrefour Classic, the goat log, accomplice heart. The complete list, with barcodes, is available on the official Reminder CONSO website. It is led to evolve.
If a person has consumed one of these cheeses, make sure to monitor the symptoms that may appear. Furthermore, as reported by Acti.fr, a reimbursement procedure may be implemented. It is advisable to get closer to the store concerned. The company Chavegrand deplores a “extremely rare” incident and indicates having “multiplied by 100 the number of analysis on products and equipment to be sure that there was no contaminant. All our employees who have been working very hard since June are stunned by this news,” it was read last week.
In a statement, the Consisturée Cons recall site specifies that “people who would have consumed the products” and who have symptoms “are invited to consult their doctor by reporting this consumption”. Therefore, if you have one of these products, it is recommended not to consume it and to destroy it. If necessary, you can contact the following green number: 08 00 91 80.
