"Foodwatch accuses company of waiting for consumers to get ill before issuing a listeria-related cheese recall, deeming the action as inadequate and coming too late"
The French food industry is facing a significant challenge following the identification of 21 cases of listeriosis, including two deaths, potentially linked to the consumption of pasteurized milk cheeses from the Chavegrand dairy.
The Chavegrand dairy, a dairy under scrutiny, has been identified as the source of the outbreak. The company's pasteurized cow's and goat's milk soft cheeses are believed to be the culprits. Despite the rarity of listeria contamination in pasteurized products, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the environment can lead to such outbreaks.
Responsibility for this situation lies both with Chavegrand, the implicated cheese producer, and the food safety regulatory system. Chavegrand's failure to prevent bacterial contamination is evident in the production of batches before June 23, 2025, which were contaminated with Listeria and distributed widely before recall. The delay in identifying the contaminated products and initiating recalls suggests shortcomings in rapid detection and response protocols within the food safety system.
The initial delay allowed further distribution and international spread of contaminated cheeses to over 30 countries. Although French authorities eventually extended the recall to additional products and brands, the contamination challenge highlights potential gaps in hygiene practices post-pasteurization or during packaging.
In response to these events, Foodwatch, a consumer protection organisation, is calling for action. They believe that the State should implement solutions to force companies to communicate recalls more effectively, with dissuasive sanctions. They express concerns about transparency in the food industry, as establishments are responsible for self-control and notification of authorities.
Foodwatch fears a lack of trust between manufacturers and consumers due to the lack of transparency and timely communication of recalls. They believe that recalls often come too late compared to the date when the products were consumed or sold. In a statement, Foodwatch's director of campaigns, Camille Dorioz, expressed concern about the recall of over 40 cheeses in France due to suspected listeria contamination.
The recall in June involved certain products from the Chavegrand dairy, following a report on a cheese distributed by the Carrefour chain. The communiqué issued by Santé publique France and the Ministry of Agriculture indicates a "possible link" between the listeriosis cases and the Chavegrand dairy's cheeses.
Foodwatch is calling for an investigation in France to uncover the responsible party and the source of the listeria contamination. They believe that such investigations are crucial for restoring consumer trust and ensuring the safety of the food supply chain.
Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, which can be found in contaminated food. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe complications.
As the investigation continues, it is essential for consumers to remain vigilant and follow updates from health authorities regarding affected products and brands. The international spread of this outbreak underscores the importance of global food supply chain traceability and response coordination.
- The food safety regulatory system's rapid detection and response protocols should be scrutinized and potentially improved to prevent future outbreaks of medical-conditions like listeriosis, which can be caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium commonly found in food-and-drink, such as the contaminated cheese from Chavegrand dairy.
- In light of the outbreak caused by the contaminated cheese from Chavegrand dairy, lifestyle choices related to food-and-drink should incorporate a focus on health-and-wellness, considering the risks associated with certain products and the necessity for transparency in the food industry.
- As part of the debate surrounding food safety, advocates for culture and science have called for increased investment in research to develop new methods for preventing bacterial contamination in food products, seeking to mitigate the risk of medical-conditions linked to food-and-drink, such as listeriosis, and maintain the overall quality of life for consumers.
