Czechia recalls French cheeses in wake of deadly listeria outbreak

Czech authorities have issued a recall of two soft French cheeses following a listeria outbreak in France that has killed two people and sickened 21 others. The products, Camembert Alexandre B. Bois and Coulommiers Mon Père, were distributed to Czech supermarkets earlier this summer, sparking concerns.

The Czech State Veterinary Administration (SVS) confirmed that most of the roughly 2,000 cheese packages imported from France between June and July are likely past their use-by dates.

However, a small number may still be in households and remain a potential health risk. Officials are urging consumers not to consume the cheeses and to return any remaining products to stores.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can result in fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. Severe cases, particularly among pregnant women, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals, can be fatal.

The recalled cheeses were shipped from a warehouse in the Central Bohemian Region before being distributed to major retailers including Makro and Kaufland.

The SVS has provided detailed batch numbers for consumers: Camembert Alexandre B. Bois 240g, batch C5179002 with a use-by date of Aug. 17, 2025, and Coulommiers Mon Père 320g, batch C5178064 with a use-by date of Aug. 26, 2025.

Authorities emphasize that any unconsumed products should be returned immediately. Veterinary inspectors are actively removing unsold packages from shelves to prevent further exposure. While the majority of imported cheeses have likely been consumed, the recall aims to limit the spread of potentially contaminated products.

In France, the outbreak has prompted the Chavegrand dairy in central France to recall dozens of batches of soft cheeses made from pasteurized cow’s or goat’s milk.

The recalled products were sold under various brands to French supermarkets including Leclerc, Carrefour, and Auchan, and exported to several European countries including Czechia, Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, and Austria.

Health authorities in France are investigating the source of contamination. Early cases appeared in June, with infected individuals aged 34 to 95. Listeriosis can take up to eight weeks to manifest, and the bacteria are not detectable by sight, smell, or taste.

The French Ministry of Health confirmed that one of the fatalities involved a patient with prior health complications. Public health experts emphasize vigilance, especially among vulnerable groups, and urge consumers to follow recall instructions.