France Issues Recall of Soft Cheeses Following Listeriosis Deaths

Health Risks Associated with Soft Cheeses

PARIS (Reuters) -France has recalled several kinds of camembert, brie and other soft cheeses after two people died from listeriosis infection and several fell ill after eating cheeses sold in supermarkets nationwide.

Details of the Recall

The health ministry said dairy firm Chavegrand is recalling dozens of batches of soft-rind cheeses after a possible link was established between the cases of listeriosis and consumption of its products.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

Chavegrand, a family-owned firm which produces cheese for several supermarket chains including Leclerc, Carrefour and Auchan, said an old production line where the suspect cheeses had been made was now closed and products currently on supermarket shelves are safe.

Demographics of Affected Individuals

"We were shocked to hear about these two dramas and we are working hard to make sure our production lines are safe," company spokesman Guillaume Albert told Reuters.

The recalled products are all soft cheeses with a bloomy rind made from pasteurized cow's or goat's milk and were sold until August 9 throughout France and internationally under various brand names, the health ministry said.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by the listeria bacteria, causes flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhoea and infection of the blood and brain. It poses a higher risk for newborns, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weak immunity.

The health ministry said the people infected were aged 34 to 95 and that one of the people who died had underlying medical issues. The first cases were identified in June.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; editing by Giles Elgood)