After the contamination of thirteen young children by the bacterium Escherichia coli, the health authorities requested the recall of Saint-Marcellin and Saint Félicien cheeses from Fromagerie Alpine.
Not a month goes by without a trace of E.coli being discovered in food marketed as surface grade, it would seem. After the Chavignol droppings from Les Laiteries Hubert Triballat (LHT), the Saint-Marcellin and Saint Félicien cheeses from Fromagerie Alpine have been recalled as a “precaution”, announced the Ministries of Health and Agriculture in a joint press release on Saturday April 27.
Because several children aged six months to four years have recently been infected with the bacteria Escherichia coli. “Thirteen cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) due to infection with Escherichia coli type O26 have occurred in young children since March 21, 2019, in several regions”, it is thus explained.
“According to the initial results of the investigations, several of these children consumed Saint Félicien and Saint-Marcellin cheeses before the onset of their symptoms. Among these children, 3 would have a possible link with the consumption of Saint Félicien and Saint-Marcellin cheeses. Marcellin manufactured by the Société Fromagerie Alpine in Romans-sur-Isère in the Drôme”, specifies the press release.
Investigations continue
“Epidemiological, microbiological and food traceability investigations are continuing to determine the source of infection of the various cases by Escherichia coli of type O26″, it is indicated.
In the meantime, the authorities preferred to withdraw the products concerned, i.e. all batches from l032 to l116, from the market and alert consumers. The cheeses in question were marketed throughout France under various brands such as Leclerc, Fromagerie Alpine, Carrefour and Auchan. These brands are required to inform their customers via notices affixed to the points of sale in question.
Escherichia Coli (E. coli) is a bacterium present in 80% of our digestive tract as well as in that of certain animals such as cattle. While the majority of E. coli strains are harmless, a few are pathogenic such as the strain Escherichia coli O26 H11.
Pregnant women and immunocompromised people more vulnerable
The latter can lead to sometimes bloody gastroenteritis and fever. Severe renal complications sometimes follow in young children. Pregnant women and immunocompromised people are also very fragile. This is why it is contraindicated for them to consume raw milk and cheeses made from raw milk, remind the health authorities.
In June, twelve children fell ill after having ate reblochon cheese contaminated with E. coli. Among them, one had died without the cause of death being formally attributed to cheese. Because E. coli is unfortunately very common. At the beginning of March, the Société Fromagère du Moulin de Carel, a subsidiary of the Lactalis group, had to withdraw from sale 5,800 camemberts marketed after the discovery of the bacterium. A few weeks later, LHT brand Chavignol droppings were affected.
As for Saint-Marcellin and Saint Félicien cheeses, if you have tasted them and show any of the symptoms indicated above, go to a doctor as soon as possible “menting this consumption and the possible link with the bacteria Escherichia coli“. If you don’t get any symptoms within ten days, don’t worry, you haven’t been infected with a dangerous strain of E. coli.
If necessary, Fromagerie Alpine has set up a call number: 04.75.70.01.01.
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