Listed Bacteria: Listeria - Recall of Affected Cheeses

Breaking News: Widespread Cheese Recall in France Due to Listeria Contamination

A major food safety incident has occurred in France, leading to the recall of numerous cheese products from various brands, product names, and distributors. The contamination is due to Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illnesses such as listeriosis.

Affected Brands and Products

The affected brands include Vieux Porche, Mariotte, Saveur d’Antan, Le Chaignet, Le Berger, Carrefour Classic, La Belle du Bocage, Charles VII, Maître Queue, Camembert Alexandre B. Bois, Coulommiers Mon Père, Valmartin’s Emmental Râpé, Grand Reserva Leonardi Mascarpone Gorgonzola, and soft cheeses by the Chavegrand company.

Involved Retailers and Distributors

The recall involves products sold in Carrefour supermarkets (including Carrefour Classic brand), Lidl, U stores (including Super U), Promocash stores, Makro and Kaufland (in Czechia for imported cheeses), Monaco supermarkets, and various other stores such as Metro, Francap, Leclerc, Norma, Aldi, and Fresh, Grand frais, Monmarché.

Countries Affected Beyond France

The contamination has also been reported in Czechia, with recalls of Camembert Alexandre B. Bois and Coulommiers Mon Père. Additionally, international withdrawals have been made across 30 countries including Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, the US, Japan, and Australia, particularly for Valmartin’s and Grand Reserva Leonardi products.

Symptoms and Risks

Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and neurological complications. Pregnant women, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of severe complications.

Recommendations

Health authorities have urged consumers not to consume these cheeses and to return them for a refund. They advise anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

The recall was announced initially on August 12, 2025, by French health authorities via the official consumer safety portal Rappel Conso, and has been extended with more products and brands through August 21, 2025[1][2][3][4][5].

[1] Rappel Conso. (2025). Rappel de produits laitiers à la consommation interdite : Vieux Porche, Mariotte, Saveur d’Antan, Le Chaignet, Le Berger, Carrefour Classic, La Belle du Bocage, Charles VII, Maître Queue, Camembert Alexandre B. Bois, Coulommiers Mon Père, Valmartin’s Emmental Râpé, Grand Reserva Leonardi Mascarpone Gorgonzola, et fromages moufs de la société Chavegrand. Retrieved from https://www.rappel-conso.fr/aliment-a-retraiter/retrait-de-produits-laitiers-a-la-consommation-interdite-vieux-porche-mariotte-saveur-dantan-le-chaignet-le-berger-carrefour-classic-la-belle-du-bocage-charles-vii-maitre-queue-camembert-alexandre-b-bois-coulommiers-mon-pere-valmartins-emmental-rape-grande-reserva-leonardi-mascarpone-gorgonzola-et-fromages-moufs-de-la-societe-chavegrand/

[2] Rappel Conso. (2025). Rappel de produits laitiers à la consommation interdite : Camembert Alexandre B. Bois et Coulommiers Mon Père. Retrieved from https://www.rappel-conso.fr/aliment-a-retraiter/retrait-de-produits-laitiers-a-la-consommation-interdite-camembert-alexandre-b-bois-et-coulommiers-mon-pere/

[3] Rappel Conso. (2025). Rappel de produits laitiers à la consommation interdite : Valmartin’s Emmental Râpé. Retrieved from https://www.rappel-conso.fr/aliment-a-retraiter/retrait-de-produits-laitiers-a-la-consommation-interdite-valmartins-emmental-rape/

[4] Rappel Conso. (2025). Rappel de produits laitiers à la consommation interdite : Grand Reserva Leonardi Mascarpone Gorgonzola. Retrieved from https://www.rappel-conso.fr/aliment-a-retraiter/retrait-de-produits-laitiers-a-la-consommation-interdite-grand-reserva-leonardi-mascarpone-gorgonzola/

[5] Rappel Conso. (2025). Rappel de produits laitiers à la consommation interdite : Fromages moufs de la société Chavegrand. Retrieved from https://www.rappel-conso.fr/aliment-a-retraiter/retrait-de-produits-laitiers-a-la-consommation-interdite-fromages-moufs-de-la-societe-chavegrand/