Marie Dubois had been looking forward to her weekend dinner party for weeks. She’d carefully selected artisanal cheeses from her favorite fromagerie in Lyon, including a beautiful small goat cheese that caught her eye. The creamy “Bêêle des prés” from La Ferme de Liègue seemed perfect for her cheese board.
But when she checked her phone Thursday morning, her heart sank. A friend had shared an urgent food safety alert on social media. The very cheese sitting in her refrigerator was now the subject of a nationwide goat cheese recall across France.
Like thousands of other French consumers, Marie suddenly found herself facing a serious health concern hiding in her own kitchen.
Emergency Goat Cheese Recall Spreads Across France
French health authorities have issued an urgent nationwide recall for a popular artisanal goat cheese after discovering dangerous bacterial contamination. The recall affects “Bêêle des prés” tommette de chèvre, produced by La Ferme de Liègue and sold throughout France in specialty food shops.
The contaminated cheese was distributed between December 5, 2024, and January 26, 2025, reaching consumers through independent butchers, cheesemongers, and gourmet food retailers rather than major supermarket chains. Health officials are now racing to prevent potential illnesses by alerting anyone who may have purchased this product.
“We’re dealing with a serious contamination that could pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations,” explains Dr. Laurent Dubois, a food safety specialist at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. “The bacterial levels found in testing make this cheese unsafe for consumption.”
The goat cheese recall comes at a time when French consumers are increasingly choosing artisanal products from small producers, making tracking and communication more challenging than recalls involving mass-produced items.
How to Identify the Dangerous Cheese in Your Fridge
French authorities have released specific identification details to help consumers determine if they own the recalled product. The contaminated cheese appears as a small, tomme-style goat cheese with distinctive packaging and labeling.
Here are the exact details you need to check:
| Product Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | La Ferme de Liègue |
| Product Name | “Bêêle des prés” |
| Type | Tommette de chèvre (small goat cheese) |
| Barcode (GTIN) | 3770026529294 |
| Use-by Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Distribution Period | December 5, 2024 – January 26, 2025 |
The recall affects nine specific lot numbers that appear on the packaging:
- CTB031125
- CTB041125
- CTB051125
- CTB291025
- CTB121125
- CTB191125
- CTB261125
- CTB281125
- CTB291125
The cheese was distributed through these suppliers across France:
- Aumand
- Ouest Frais
- La boucherie du coin
- SAS du Bignon
- La Fée Cochette
- Olivier Jouteau
“If you shop at independent food retailers, butcher shops, or specialty cheese stores, there’s a higher likelihood you may have encountered this product,” notes food safety expert Dr. Claire Martin. “The distribution network focused on quality-conscious consumers who frequent artisanal food shops.”
The Hidden Danger: Listeria Contamination Explained
Laboratory testing revealed that multiple batches of the goat cheese contain dangerous levels of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. This microorganism can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that poses particular risks to certain groups of people.
The contamination levels found in the recalled cheese exceed safe consumption limits, making the product unfit for human consumption under French food safety regulations.
Listeria bacteria can survive and even multiply at refrigerator temperatures, meaning the cheese doesn’t become safer over time. The organism can cause symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe complications including meningitis and blood poisoning.
Vulnerable populations face the highest risk:
- Pregnant women and their unborn babies
- Adults over 65 years old
- People with weakened immune systems
- Individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease
“Listeria is particularly concerning because it can cross the placental barrier and cause serious complications during pregnancy,” explains Dr. Sophie Leclerc, an infectious disease specialist at Paris Hospitals. “Even healthy adults can develop severe illness if they consume food with high bacterial loads.”
Symptoms of listeriosis typically appear within 24 hours to several weeks after consumption and may include:
- High fever and chills
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Confusion or changes in alertness
What French Consumers Should Do Right Now
Anyone who has purchased La Ferme de Liègue’s “Bêêle des prés” tommette should take immediate action. Do not consume the cheese under any circumstances, even if it appears, smells, and tastes normal.
French authorities recommend these steps:
- Check your refrigerator immediately for the recalled product
- Look for the specific lot numbers and use-by date listed in the recall notice
- Dispose of the cheese safely by wrapping it securely before throwing it away
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces that came into contact with the cheese
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the product
Consumers who have already eaten the recalled goat cheese should monitor their health closely. Anyone developing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately and mention the potential listeria exposure.
“Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop,” advises Dr. Martin. “If you’re pregnant or have underlying health conditions, contact your doctor as soon as you realize you may have consumed the contaminated cheese.”
The French government’s Rappel Conso platform continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Retailers have been instructed to remove all remaining stock from their shelves and contact customers who may have purchased the product.
This goat cheese recall highlights the importance of food traceability systems and rapid response protocols that protect public health. While artisanal cheese production continues to thrive in France, incidents like this remind consumers to stay informed about food safety alerts.
FAQs
Can I get a refund for the recalled goat cheese?
Yes, retailers should provide full refunds even without a receipt, as this is an official health-related recall.
How long does it take for listeria symptoms to appear?
Symptoms can develop anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks after eating contaminated food.
Is it safe to eat other cheeses from La Ferme de Liègue?
The recall is specific to “Bêêle des prés” tommette with the listed lot numbers and use-by date only.
What should I do if I ate the cheese but feel fine?
Continue monitoring your health and contact a doctor if any symptoms develop, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
Can cooking the cheese make it safe to eat?
No, authorities recommend complete disposal as the bacterial contamination levels are too high for any safe consumption.
Where can I find updates about this goat cheese recall?
Check the official French government Rappel Conso website for the latest information and any additional affected products.
