Cheese products from Spain under emergency withdrawal due to Listeria contamination
In a significant public health concern, Spain is taking extensive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, following a multi-country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to soft cheeses produced by the French company Chavegrand.
The outbreak, which has resulted in at least 21 infections and two deaths in France since December 2024, primarily after June 2025, has spread across over thirty countries in Europe, including Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom, among others.
Affected cheese varieties include soft cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses with bloomy rinds, such as Camembert, Crémeux, bûches, Brie, and other similar soft cheeses. It is important to note that these cheeses were made from pasteurized milk, highlighting that contamination can still occur post-pasteurization due to the environmental presence of Listeria.
Countries involved extend beyond France, with confirmed cases reported in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Switzerland. The cheeses were distributed to at least 32 countries internationally.
The implicated products were sold under nearly 40 different commercial brands and identified by the French health mark FR 23.117.001 CE/UE. All batches produced before June 23, 2025, have been recalled, and products were removed from sale by August 9, 2025, from major retailers such as Carrefour, Leclerc, and Auchan.
To prevent further cases, comprehensive recalls of all affected cheese batches have been initiated, and public warnings urge consumers not to eat or to discard these products if they possess them. Investigations and tracebacks are being led by Santé Publique France, the National Listeria Reference Centre at Institut Pasteur, and other health agencies to contain and understand the outbreak.
This outbreak underscores the ongoing challenge of Listeria control even in pasteurized dairy products, prompting increased vigilance and control measures in production and distribution. It is crucial for consumers to stay vigilant and follow official guidance closely until the alert is fully resolved.
In Spain, regional governments are coordinating with AESAN for comprehensive inspection and control measures. No confirmed cases have been reported in Spain, but officials are acting swiftly to remove affected batches from the market. Spanish health authorities have issued an urgent food safety warning, aimed at preventing potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals like pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Retailers have been instructed to withdraw all affected products immediately. The European alert system notifies each member state quickly, enabling coordinated action to safeguard public health. Popular soft varieties such as camembert and brie are included in the warning. Notices with photographs and packaging details have been issued across various autonomous communities in Spain to aid identification.
Several countries, including Germany and Belgium, have also taken action, removing the contaminated cheeses from supermarket shelves and recalling affected cheeses from stores. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation, track distribution, and evaluate the effectiveness of recall efforts.
It is essential to remember that Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures, making soft, ready-to-eat cheeses with long shelf lives particularly vulnerable to contamination. The incubation period can be up to 8 weeks, which delays detection and complicates outbreak management. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at increased risk for severe outcomes.
Stay informed and follow your local health authority's guidance to ensure your safety.
- Amid the ongoing health crisis, Spain is coordinating with AESAN for extensive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly focusing on preventing the spread of Listeria monocytogenes associated with soft cheeses.
- The general public is encouraged to pay heed to lifestyle recommendations, such as discarding or avoiding certain food-and-drink products like soft cheeses, notably camembert and brie, during this health-and-wellness alert for potential Listeria contamination.
- Given the political implications, with widespread public health concerns and food recalls across many nations, the government is taking steps to invest in enhancing nutrition and food safety regulations to minimize future outbreaks.
