The sanitary alert around pasteurized cheeses produced by the company Chavegrand takes a global turn. After France, several European countries reported cases of listeriosis, and ECDC warns that the epidemic could extend far beyond the continent.
According to a report cited by Ouest-Francethe alert was launched at the end of July in France, where 21 people were infected, two of whom died. But the disease has already crossed borders: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway each have a confirmed patient, aged 35 to 70. The European Public Health Agency now speaks of an “international epidemic”.
From the United Kingdom to Australia via Asia
The incriminated products are soft cheeses of cow and goat cheese sold under forty brands. They have been distributed since December 2024 in at least 32 countries. As BFMTV reports, the ECDC cites in particular Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Spain, Japan or the United States among the destinations concerned. The question arises now: should we expect to see cases appear on a global scale?
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The agency specifies that the contaminations identified in Europe outside of France would have taken place between April 19 and July 9. A traceability survey is underway to raise the production and distribution chain. Faced with the risk, a massive reminder was launched, affecting 40 references of cheeses. Food authorities in the countries concerned disseminate public warnings and strengthen their controls. The ECDC, which follows “very closely” the situation, calls for vigilance and asks the member states to report any suspicious case.
