Listeria fears prompt global recall of French cheeses
Cheeses sold in 30 countries including UK, US, and Australia
Consumption of contaminated cheese has been linked to two deaths in France. Pasteurised soft cheeses are among those recalled, photo for illustrative purposes only
Alesia.Bierliezova/Shutterstock
An international recall of French cheeses is underway after several cases of listeria food poisoning in Europe have been linked with an outbreak of the disease in France.
More than 20 people in France fell sick after eating cheese infected with listeria monocytogenes - the bacteria that causes listeriosis - leading to a nationwide recall.
At last two people in France died following the illness.
However, further listeriosis cases in EU/EEA countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands) have been recorded by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Aged between 35 to 70, all consumed pasteurised soft cheeses between April and July 2025 before falling sick.
International recall across 30 countries
The potentially impacted cheeses were sold in around 30 countries worldwide, in destinations as far as the US, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Despite no cases having been reported in several countries, including others in Europe such as Austria, Spain, Germany and the UK etc, the ECDC is taking a cautious approach.
“To protect consumers and as a preventive measure the food products were recalled. The food safety authorities of the countries concerned by the food distribution are implementing official control measures, including the issue of public warnings,” the ECDC said in a report.
Listeriosis can appear up to 28 days after eating contaminated food, with the ECDC urging health authorities nationwide to remain on alert for further cases.
“We have 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,” said Chavegrand, a major cheese producer affected by the global recall.
A list of recalled cheeses in France can be seen here.
For those living outside of France, it is advised to check with local health authorities or supermarkets to see which products have been recalled in your country, as branding and cheese types can vary.
France has recently issued a second recall of goat’s cheese, potentially infected with e.Coli.
