French group Carrefour recalls ham after listeria risk

The cooked ham was sold in packs of four slices each, by the company Brocéliande, under the brand name Filière Qualité Carrefour.

Affected packs have lot number n°00811775, with the barcode 3560070949229, and a use-by date of 26/09/2019 (September 26, 2019).

Affected packs were pulled from the shelves as soon as the risk became clear, but some were sold before this happened.

Health authorities have recommended that anyone who still has a pack should not consume the ham, but instead take it back to the original point of sale for a refund.

Carrefour has also created a helpline for anyone seeking more information: 09 69 39 7000. (Calling this number does not cost more than a usual phone call, when calling from a fixed landline.)

The ham at risk of contamination came in packets like this, under the brand name Filière Qualité Carrefour (Carrefour.fr)

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause bacterial infections and serious illnesses such as listeriosis, meningitis and encephalitis to develop, especially in vulnerable people. Anyone who has a fever - with or without a headache - after eating this ham should contact a doctor immediately.

Symptoms may also include a stiff neck, loss of balance, muscle aches or confusion.

The incubation period - between eating contaminated products and presenting with symptoms - can be up to two months, so anyone who suspects they may have eaten the ham should remain alert for the next eight weeks.

Elderly people, young children, and people who are immunocompromised should be especially careful, as should pregnant women, as listeria can be especially dangerous to unborn babies.

This is not the first time that Carrefour has had to recall its own brand charcuterie products due to listeria fears. In July this year, it recalled several other packets of ham and salmon, as well as surumi egg shells, and ham and asparagus rolls.