A recall campaign has been launched on Cantal farmhouse cheeses labelled Le Chasteau, following the discovery of 72 cases of salmonellosis linked to this cheese factory, the government announced in a press release on Wednesday.
“This recall concerns all Le Chasteau farmhouse cheeses from GAEC Deflisque, all batches, all use-by dates (UBD), marketed from March 2024 onwards”, even those stored in the freezer, jointly declare the Ministries of Health and Agriculture.
Cheeses similar to Saint Nectaire
These infections are linked to the ingestion of cheeses resembling Saint-Nectaire but not having the protected designation of origin. The cheeses in question were produced in Cantal by the Deflisque joint agricultural exploitation group (GAEC), between the beginning of March and the beginning of August 2024.
Surveys of patients (more than half of whom were in Puy-de-Dôme, Corrèze and Creuse) led to the cheese factory, which was closed “urgently” on July 23. Samples confirmed the contamination on August 1. The reminder was published on August 7 on the government website Reminderconsofor all the cheeses produced by this cheese factory. These were sold in particular on markets in Puy-de-Dôme, according to the government.
Salmonellosis, what is it?
Salmonellosis causes sudden diarrhea or vomiting, with headache and fever within 6 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated product. In young children, pregnant women, the elderly or people with compromised immune systems, the infection can be more severe or even fatal.
Learn more about salmonellosis
People who may have consumed the cheese and who are experiencing symptoms are advised to consult a doctor. Cases have also been reported in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Pays-de-la-Loire, Brittany, Grand-Est and Occitanie.