3 French cheeses recalled from German supermarkets after two deaths

Three French cheeses have been recalled from German supermarkets after two people died and 21 fell sick from eating the products. Customers are advised to check serial numbers and return potentially contaminated products.

Two dead and 21 sick after eating French cheeses

Three cheeses produced by the French company S.E. Chavegrand have been recalled from supermarkets across all German federal states. 

Several batches of Camembert de caractère Vieux Porche, Camembert Charles VII and Bûchette de Chèvre Vieux Porche were found to be infected with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

In France, two people have died in connection with eating the cheeses, and 21 further people are suffering from listeriosis, a bacterial infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis is only fatal in extreme cases, but can be particularly dangerous if you're pregnant, and for small children, old people and those with a weakened immune system. Symptoms can take up to eight weeks to appear and include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Which French cheeses have been recalled in Germany?

French authorities have now warned against consuming the cheeses, two of which are sold in the German supermarket chain REWE.

Customers who have bought the cheeses can check the package serial number (Chargenummer) to see if their purchase is part of a contaminated batch. A full list of batches which are considered dangerous can be found here.

Anyone who has purchased these cheeses can return them to the shop and receive a refund; a receipt is not required.