Health authorities have identified 21 cases of listeriosis, including two deaths, which could present a " possible link " with the consumption of pasteurized milk cheeses from the Chavegrand cheese factory having been recalled, according to a press release issued on August 12 by Public Health France and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“ Investigations carried out by Public Health France (…) led to the identification at the beginning of August of convergent epidemiological and microbiological elements, establishing a possible link between these » 21 « cases of listeriosis", including 18 since June, " and the consumption of pasteurized milk cheeses produced by the Chavegrand company", the statement said.
The cheeses concerned, Camembert, creamy cheese, or goat cheese, among others, were marketed " until August 9, 2025 » by the cheese factory on « the entire national territory", especially in supermarkets, as well as " than internationally“.
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Listeriosis, the second leading cause of death from food poisoning
The cases of listeriosis identified concern people aged 34 to 95. More than 40 batches of cheese were recalled between Monday and Tuesday due to suspected Listeria contamination, according to the government website Rappel Conso.
“ People who possess these products are asked not to consume them." , has warned the government. People who have consumed these cheeses " and who have a fever, whether isolated or accompanied by headaches and body aches, are invited to consult their doctor and inform them of this consumption."Pregnant women, immunocompromised people and the elderly" should be particularly attentive to these symptoms.“
Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is the second leading cause of death from food poisoning, with several dozen deaths per year in France. Its incubation period can be up to eight weeks.
“ The news is devastating and the Chavegrand cheese factory sends its condolences to the affected families.", the company responded to AFP. According to the company, the cheeses recalled in June and August were produced on an old production line, closed at the beginning of June, replaced by a new line, and subjected to " a very reinforced analysis plan", which has still not found any trace of Listeria within the cheese factory.
“ We increased the number of tests on products and equipment by a factor of 100 to ensure there were no contaminants. All our employees, who have been working very hard since June, are stunned by this news.", adds Chavegrand's communication, which speaks of a case " extremely rare“.
Founded in 1952, this Creuse-based SME, which employs 120 people, assures that it has " never known product contamination » previously since its creation. For the Foodwatch association, " The problem for consumers is that, as usual, these recalls come too late when the damage is done.“.
According to this consumer protection association, the cheese factory would have " had to take the necessary hygiene measures and ensure that it did not market products that exposed consumers to a danger to their health", after having already been the subject of a similar recall in June.
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