The health authorities are worried, especially since there have been two deaths … in a public health press release and the Ministry of Agriculture, they indicate that they have identified 21 cases of listeriosis, including two deathswhich could present a “lien possible” With the consumption of cheeses with pasteurized milk from the Chavegrand cheese dairy having been the subject of a reminder.
“The investigations carried out by Public Health France (…) led to identify in early August for the converging epidemiological and microbiological elements, establishing a possible link between These “21” cases of listeriosis“including 18 since June, “And the consumption of cheese with pasteurized milk produced by the company Chavegrand”said the press release.
“Stunned employees”
The cheeses concerned, camemberts, creamy, or goat cheeses, among others, have been marketed “Until August 9, 2025” by the cheese dairy on “The entire national territory”especially in supermarkets, as well as to international “. Listeriosis cases identified concern people aged 34 to 95.
According to the company, the cheeses recalled in June and August were produced on an old production line, closed in early June, replaced by a new line, and subject to “A very reinforced analysis plan”, who has always Not allowed to find a trace of Listeria within the cheese dairy.
“We have multiplied by 100 the number of analyzes 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”adds Chavegrand’s communication, which talks about a “extremely rare” case.
Created in 1952, this Creuse SME, which employs 120 people, assures not to have “Never known to contamination of product” previously since its creation.
These are more than 40 batch of cheeses were the subject of a reminder between Monday and Tuesday Due to suspicion of contamination to Listeria bacteria, according to the government site Reminder Conso.
Do not consume products
“The people who hold these products are asked not to consume them“warned the government. People who have consumed these cheeses”And who would present fever, isolated or accompanied by headache, and aches, are invited to consult their doctor by reporting this consumption. “
Pregnant women, immunocompromised people and the elderly “should be particularly attentive to these symptoms.” Listeriosis, caused by the Listeria Monocytogenes, is the second cause of mortality by food poisoning with, in France, a few dozen deaths per year. His incubation period can go up to eight weeks.
“La Nouvelle is overwhelming and the Chavegrand cheese dairy addresses its condolences to affected families”reacted the company to AFP.
Too late reminders?
For the Foodwatch association, “The problem for consumers is that, as usual, these reminders occur too late when evil is made.”
According to this consumer defense association, the cheese dairy would have “had to take the hygiene measures which are essential and ensure that it did not sell products that expose consumers to a danger to their health”after having already been the subject of a similar reminder in June.
What can this bacterium who can lead to death?
The Listeria, suspected of having caused two dead in France following the consumption of contaminated cheeses and produced by the same cheese dairy, and the infection of the Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria is the second cause of mortality by food poisoning With, in France, a few dozen deaths per year. Only salmonella, also bacteria, cause more fatal poisoning: several hundred each year.
In its so -called “invasive” form, listeriosis is particularly deadly: A quarter of the patients, about it, diefor example because of neurological complications such as meningitis.
Incubation generally lasts one or two weeks, but can go up to almost three months, and pregnant women are particularly threatened, with twenty times more risk of developing this infection than the rest of the population.
Like salmonellosis, listeriosis is treated in antibiotics and both are eliminated by cooking. They are therefore found in raw or poorly cooked foods: meats, dairy products, vegetables and fresh fruit … Listeriosis therefore often connected to “Foods that can be kept for a long time in refrigerated conditions”summarizes the World Health Organization (WHO).
