Listeria fears spark mass recall of chicken and charcuterie in France

A huge number of meat products – whole chickens and charcuterie – have been recalled in France over fears of listeria contamination.

Products began to be listed last Friday (June 16), with some still being added on Tuesday (June 20) to the official RappelConso recall site.

The recalls affect a number of brands – most notably saucisson producer Duculty, who has seen around 10 items pulled from the shelves – from supermarkets all across France.

The majority of the chickens – sold as entire carcasses – and the charcuterie were available in supermarkets from May 30 to June 7.

The charcuterie came in the form of entire saucisson, dried sausage products or rosette slices.

Due to the extended shelf life of the saucisson products – and the probability that some people froze parts of purchased chickens to eat later – authorities are urging people to make sure they do not consume any of the products listed.

Refunds are available at the point of purchase and official advice is not to consume any of the products.

Major supermarkets affected

More than 25 products have been affected by the recalls, with a small number of saucisson products also pulled from shelves earlier last week, also from the Duculty brand.

The products were sold across most major supermarkets, including Carrefour, Intermarché, E.Leclerc, Système U stores, Casino, and Auchan, and sold across all regions of France.

You can find a list of all the products recalled on the RappelConso website’s meat section here.

Products can be returned to the point of purchase for a refund, although the deadline to do so can change depending on the product and supermarket in question.

Read also: Nearly 6,000 food products recalled in France over two years

Fears of listeria ingestion

All of the products have been recalled over fears of listeria bacteria in the products, which can cause listeriosis food poisoning.

Listeria is the second-highest cause of death from food poisoning in France.

Anyone who has consumed one of the products listed and suffers from symptoms including headaches, fever, vomiting, or muscle soreness should immediately contact a GP.

The effects of listeria food poisoning can appear as late as eight weeks after consuming an infected product.

It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, elderly people and the immuno-compromised.

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