Alert: Cheese recall after brucellosis case found in French dairy farm

Reblochon cheese from six different brands is being recalled by supermarkets throughout France after a case of bovine brucellosis was identified in a cow on a dairy farm in Haute-Savoie last week.

Read more: 219 cows to be culled after case of brucellosis found on French farm

Bovine brucellosis is an infectious disease that occurs after contact with animals carrying Brucella bacteria. It can spread to humans if they come into contact with contaminated meat, or consume unpasteurised dairy products.

Reblochon is made solely from unpasteurised milk.

Government site Rappel Conso lists the possible side effects of eating contaminated cheese after an incubation period of one week to one month.

These include “fever or flu-like symptoms with fever, joint and muscle pain, headaches, fatigue. More rarely, testicular issues (orchitis), neurological issues (meningitis) and joint issues (arthritis) are possible.

“Chronic symptoms may appear after some weeks, including local infections, particularly around joints.”

It listed the six cheeses to be recalled as:

• Reblochon AOP from the brand La Dent du Chat, lots 311926, 311927, 311935, 312011, 312014
• Reblochon Fruitier AOP from the brand Les Messagers des Saveurs, lots packaged between October 8 – November 2 with a use by date of October 26 – November 1
• Reblochon au lait cru sold by Monoprix, including 12 different lots
• Reblochon de Savoie AFP from the brand Metro Chef in 450g packages, including 14 different lots
• Reblochon de Savoie AOP from the brand Au Coeur de nos Villages in 450g packages, including 11 different lots
• Reblochon au lait cru Tradition fromagère from the brand Disfrais, including lots 21038420, 21039074, 21039796, 21039886, 21040273, 21040630, 21041079, 21041860 and 21042769

People who have bought any of these cheeses are advised not to eat them and to return them to the point of sale for a refund.

A customer helpline has also been set up on 0800 94 52 35.

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