France has issued a nationwide recall on several types of cheese after two people died from bacterial infections.
The recall applies to soft cheeses from the brand Chavegrand, such as brie and camembert, that are sold in supermarkets.
Twenty-one people ages 34 to 95 have fallen ill with listeriosis, according to the French public health agency. Two people have died.
Health officials said they have established "a possible link between these cases of listeriosis and the consumption of pasteurised milk cheeses produced by the Chavegrand company".
Listeriosis is a rare infection that people usually get by eating food contaminated with the bacteria listeria. It’s unusual for listeria to be found in pasteurised cheeses, but it is possible because it is so widespread in the environment, the health agency said.
Most people who are infected will have no or mild food poisoning symptoms, such as a fever, aches and pains, diarrhoea, and chills. But in some cases, listeriosis can cause life-threatening illness.
Pregnant women, babies, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.
French health officials urged people not to eat the recalled cheeses and to monitor their health closely if they have eaten them recently.
Listeriosis symptoms can begin up to eight weeks after someone eats contaminated food.
“Anyone who has consumed [these cheeses] and experiences a fever, whether isolated or accompanied by headaches and body aches, should consult their doctor and inform them of their use,” the French health authority said.
