Massive supermarket cheese recall could be linked to two deaths

A recall of nearly 50 cheeses from French supermarkets over listeria fears could be linked to over 20 cases of listeriosis, according to public health officials. 

Batches of cheeses including camambert, goats cheese and brie were recalled from French supermarkets including Lidl, Carrefour and U earlier this week. 

It was feared they were contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for listeriosis.

Public Health France, in a statement on Tuesday, said it had identified 21 cases of listeriosis, which had caused the deaths of two people. 

It said the people infected were between 34 and 95 years old, while one of the two who have died had "underlying pathologies."

While the source of the contamination had not yet been identified, Public Health France said it had established a “possible link” with cheese consumption. 

The recall, announced by consumer watchdog Rappel Conso, includes cheeses at supermarkets including Lidl, U, Carrefour, Leclerc and Netto. 

They include:

• Goat’s cheese logs, Camembert and Le Doucrémeux and Coulommiers under the Chêne d’Argent brand

• The pasteurised “Le Carré 23%”, and Camembert sold under the U brand.

Full details of the recalled products are available on the Rappel Conso website. 

Consumer association Foodwatch said the recall and infections were a “scandal” that had been “avoidable”. 

BFMTV reports that the recalled cheeses have been linked to the Chavegrand cheese factory in the Creuse region. 

The factory had previously issued recalls of some products in June 2025, ‘for the same listeria concern,’ Foodwatch said.

"We have increased the number of product and equipment analyses by a factor of 100 to ensure there were no contaminants. All of our employees, who have been working very hard since June, are stunned by this news," the manufacturer said in a statement to BFMTV. 

Advice for consumers

Shoppers are advised not to eat any cheeses subject to a recall. 

If anyone has consumed the cheeses and develops a fever, they should seek medical advice and mention possible exposure. 

Listeria bacteria can cause serious issues, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. 

Listeriosis has an incubation period of up to eight weeks. 

Severe cases could involve neurological symptoms such as meningitis, marked by a strong fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting.