An international health alert over cheese products made by French company Chavegrand is growing, with new listeriosis cases reported outside France. Authorities in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have each confirmed one patient, French outlet “20Minutes” reported.
France first detected the outbreak in late July, when 21 people were infected with the bacteria, and two died, according to Ouest-France. Patients in Europe range from 35 to 70 years old. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said the infections point to “an international outbreak.”
The cheeses involved are soft cow and goat cheeses sold under nearly 40 different labels. since December 2024, they have been shipped to at least 32 countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. BFMTV reported that French health authorities recalled more than 40 batches of cheese, including some Chênes d’Argent products from Lactalis.
France’s Ministry of Agriculture and national public health agency, Santé Publique France, said most of the recalled cheese came from Chavegrand’s plant in Maison-Feyne, Creuse. The products, including camembert and goat’s cheese, were distributed nationwide through major supermarkets such as Leclerc, Carrefour, and Auchan until August 9.
Investigators in early August found microbiological and epidemiological evidence linking the outbreak to pasteurized milk cheese produced by Chavegrand. Santé Publique France reported that the patients infected so far were aged between 34 and 95 years old, with one of the deceased having pre-existing conditions.
Listeriosis is the second leading cause of foodborne illness deaths in France, killing several dozen people each year. Symptoms can appear up to eight weeks after exposure. The infection causes fever, headaches, and muscle pain, and it can be deadly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly.
The ECDC said it is monitoring the situation closely and called on member states to report new cases. National food agencies have issued public warnings and are reinforcing controls.
Health officials urged anyone who consumed the recalled cheese and develops symptoms to seek medical care immediately and inform doctors about possible exposure.
Dining and Cooking