A salmonella outbreak in France has been linked to Le Chasteau soft cheeses, resulting in over 70 cases of illness across several regions. The cheeses, produced in Cantal by GAEC Deflisque, were consumed between early March and the start of August, with Institut Pasteur and Santé publique France detecting similar cases from late July to early August.
More than half of the cases were found in Puy-de-Dôme, Corrèze, and Creuse, with additional cases emerging in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, Brittany, Grand-Est, and Occitanie. Food questionnaires and product traceability efforts have pinpointed the source of contamination.
On July 23, official inspections led to the closure of the Cantal cheese factory, with a recall issued for all batches of Le Chasteau cheeses from GAEC Deflisque, including all use-by dates sold from March 2024. Contamination was confirmed through sampling on August 1.
Salmonella outbreaks are not uncommon in France, with 158 cases reported in 2022, affecting 975 individuals and resulting in 165 hospitalizations. Dairy products have been implicated in multiple confirmed or suspected cases.
Understanding Salmonella
Salmonella bacteria can contaminate food without altering its appearance, smell, or taste. While anyone can contract salmonella, infants, children, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe illness. Symptoms typically manifest as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of consuming contaminated food, lasting four to seven days in healthy adults. However, severe diarrhea may require hospitalization in some cases.
Those who have consumed the recalled cheeses and exhibit symptoms of salmonella poisoning should seek medical attention and inform their doctors about the potential exposure. Special diagnostic tests are necessary as salmonella symptoms can resemble other illnesses.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious complications, though some people may carry and transmit the bacteria without showing any symptoms.