The health authorities have identified 21 cases of listeriosis, including two dead, which could present a « lien possible » With the consumption of cheese with pasteurized milk from the Chavegrand cheese dairy, which has been the subject of a recall, according to a press release released Tuesday August 12 by Public Health France (SPF) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“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 “Case of listeriosis”including 18 since June, “And the consumption of pasteurized milk cheeses produced by the company Chavegrand”continues the press release. The identified listeriosis cases concern people aged 34 to 95.
At midday, 40 lots of cheeses have been recalling due to suspected contamination to bacteria Listeria monocytogeneswhich can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women, announced the government site consumer recall.
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Cheeses, among other camemberts, goats, gorgonzolas or BRIES, are sold in most large distributors, such as Leclerc, Auchan, Carrefour. The various reminders were made between Monday and Tuesday.
Most of these products come from the same company, Chaverand cheese dairy, located in Creuse, according to the public consumer information site on recalls of products, food or animal food. The Berger marks, the lion a royal cheese, a flavor of yesteryear, the little snack.
Second cause of mortality by food contamination
“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 attending physician”. Pregnant women, immunocompromised people and the elderly “Should be particularly attentive to these symptoms. »»
Listeriosis, caused by bacteria Listeria monocytogenesis the second cause of mortality by food poisoning with, in France, a few tens of deaths per year. His incubation period can go up to eight weeks.
“The problem for consumers is that, as usual, these reminders occur too late, when evil is done”deplores Foodwatch in a press release.
For 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 she was the subject of a similar reminder in June. Foodwatch, in its press release, also wonders “On the role [des] Control authorities. What did they do between June and August? »»
Contacted by the France-Presse agency, the cheese dairy explains that all the products recalled in June and August were produced on an old production line, closed in early June and replaced by a new line, in an extension of the building.
“There was a very reinforced analysis plan, with several thousand analyzes, but we did not find [de trace de Listeria] in the cheese dairy. We have no explanation yet ”said Guillaume Albert, consultant for the Chavegrand cheese dairy.
