Cantal cheese recalled across France over E.Coli concerns

A recall of Cantal cheeses is underway in multiple French supermarkets over fears of the possible presence of E.coli bacteria. 

The products were sold across Auchan, E.Leclerc, Carrefour, Metro and France Frais supermarkets throughout June and the first week of July.

Some were also sold at cheese shops.

The recall includes products from the Les fromagers Cantaliens and La maison du fromage brands, Auchan’s store-brand Cantal cheeses, and others.

Refunds are available from the point of purchase, with deadlines ranging from July to September depending on the product or store in question. 

Otherwise, official advice is to throw these cheeses away and to not consume any of the products in question.

A helpline is available at 08 00 87 41 87 for anyone who has questions on the recall.

All the cheeses that have been recalled can be found on the official RappelConso product recall website here.

Read more: Why are there more food recalls now in France, that you often post?

E.Coli fears 

The products have all been recalled due to the potential presence of Toxigenic Escherichia coli shiga, commonly known as E.Coli. 

RappelConso states that eating food contaminated with this bacteria “can cause diarrhoea, sometimes bloody, abdominal pain and vomiting, with or without fever, within a week of consumption.” 

In some cases, particularly for children, it can cause severe kidney damage. 

Anyone who has eaten one of the recalled products and has any of the symptoms above should immediately contact a doctor. 

If you do not have any of these symptoms within 15 days of consuming an infected product, you will not need to consult a doctor. 

Whilst E.Coli is not the most common reason for recalls in France, a breakout of the virus can sometimes lead to products being pulled from shelves, particularly cheeses. 

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