Urgent farm cheese recall after 72 fall ill with salmonella in France
Most of the contaminated cheese is thought to have been sold via markets with people affected mainly living in Puy-de-Dôme, Corrèze, or Creuse
The affected cheese from Cantal is branded ‘Le Chasteau’, and was sold at markets (image for illustration only, does not show market or cheese concerned)
Christian Mueller / Shutterstock
Cheese from farm brand ‘Le Chasteau’ in Cantal is being urgently recalled in France after 72 people who ate it became ill with the infection salmonella.
Most of the contaminated cheese is thought to have been sold via markets in Puy-de-Dôme, with more than half of people who became ill living in Puy-de-Dôme, Corrèze, or Creuse.
Cases have also been reported in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays-de-la-Loire, Bretagne, Grand-Est, and Occitanie.
The infections are linked to the consumption of cheeses similar to Saint-Nectaire, but which did not have the appellation d'origine protégée (AOP) label.
The emergency government recall concerns:
All cheeses branded ‘Le Chasteau’, made by GAEC Deflisque (Cantal, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
All batches and all use-by-dates sold since March 2024
People with this cheese at home - even if it has been frozen - are advised not to eat any and to throw the products away immediately.
Read also: Several cheeses recalled in France due to listeria risk
Read also: Cantal cheese recalled across France over E.Coli concerns
Salmonella confirmed, and symptoms
The Deflisque cheese producing factory has been closed since July 23, and tests carried out on August 1 confirmed the presence of salmonella.
Symptoms of salmonella typically appear within 6 to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product.
They include:
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Headaches
Fever
The infection can be particularly severe - and even fatal - in young children, pregnant women, the elderly or immunocompromised people. Anyone who consumes the cheese (or any cheese) and begins to show symptoms is advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
But the owner of the cheese dairy has denied responsibility. “You can never be sure when it’s a health problem,” he said. “But they have no evidence against us,” he claimed.
