The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in l’Explorateur soft ripened cheese. This is pasteurized cow’s milk cheese, so at least it isn't raw unpasteurized milk causing illness yet again, and was made by in St. Simeon, France.

It is sold in small, circular wheels (250g) with sell-by dates of May 7, 2019 and May 14, 2019. Product lot codes are 7742-H 057 and 77432-H 064. 

Cheese labeled as such should be thrown away immediately.



Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is of special concern to pregnant women because it will cross the placental barrier, which is why not eating sushi or some deli meat during pregnancy is not food scaremongering, it is sound advice. But anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating any of the products above should seek medical care because Listeriosis can be fatal, especially for high-risk groups, such as the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and those with certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). 

In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.