Belgian supermarkets recall fish and cheese products over listeria risk

Several major Belgian supermarket chains have recalled fish and cheese products due to fears of listeria contamination. This follows the confirmation by Belgium’s public health institute, Sciensano, of the first Belgian listeria case connected to French cheese products.

The Colruyt Group has withdrawn Spar 'Herring with Onion (2 pieces)' with a best-before date of 17 August 2025 from its stores. Customers are urged to return the product to Spar stores for a full refund. Anyone who has consumed the herring and is feeling unwell is advised to seek medical attention. Albert Heijn has also recalled its own-brand 'Hollandse Nieuwe with Onion (2 pieces)' and 'Hollandse Nieuwe Fillet with Onion (2 pieces)', which were sold between 8 and 13 August with the same best-before date.

Precaution

As a precaution, Delhaize has removed its “Camembert Mini Portion” and “Delhaize FE Coulommiers 187 g” from stores and distribution centres. Although the affected batches had expired by the time the alert was issued and are believed to no longer be on the market, Delhaize has decided to recall the remaining stock as a precaution.

The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) had already ordered a recall of four cheeses that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes: 'Camembert' (brands 'Everyday' and 'Le Père Alexandre'), 'Buchette de Chèvre' (Fleur de Pré), and 'Camembert de Caractère' (Vieux Porche). Consumers are advised not to eat these products and to return them to the point of purchase.

First Belgian case

On Wednesday, Sciensano, Belgium’s public health institute, confirmed the first Belgian listeria case connected to the French cheese products. While 62 listeria infections have been recorded in Belgium this year, only one is linked to this outbreak.

Listeria can cause listeriosis, the symptoms of which include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, headache, and fever. The most vulnerable groups are pregnant women, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and young children. Two deaths have already been reported in France.

^{© Hans Lucas via AFP}