France - Confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to the withdrawal and recall of cooked deli meat products from the company Drôme Ardèche Tradition

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Cases of listeriosis linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat deli meats from the company Drôme Ardèche Tradition

Following the identification of several cases of listeriosis in several French regions, Public Health France is taking stock of the situation and invites anyone with symptoms to consult their doctor.

Published on March 12, 2026

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Situation update as of March 10, 2026

Public Health France, in conjunction with the Directorate General for Food (DGAL) and the National Reference Centre (CNR) for Listeria , conducted investigations that identified the source of contamination for 12 patients with listeriosis , with positive samples taken between October 13, 2025 and January 23, 2026. Of these cases, 7 were recorded in January 2026. No new cases have been identified since February 11, 2026.

Characteristics of the identified cases

• 7 women and 5 men, aged 34 to 93 years (median age: 81 years)
• 11 people are over 65 years old
• Two deaths have been reported.
• 10 people had comorbidities (cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, advanced age)
• All cases required hospitalization for various clinical forms: 8 bacteremias, 3 neuromeningeal forms and 1 maternal-neonatal form
• The identified cases reside in the following regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (9), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (1), Normandy (1), and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (1)

Origin of the contamination

Epidemiological investigations in early February identified several patients who had consumed pâté en croûte. Traceability investigations confirmed that these products originated from the same company, Drôme Ardèche Tradition (26). As a safety precaution, the sale of all products from this establishment that may have been contaminated after cooking was suspended. A recall of the products on the market was initiated on March 5, 2026.

Analyses by the National Reference Centre for Listeria confirmed that strains isolated from products of the establishment presented the same characteristics as those isolated from sick people.

What should you do if you have consumed these products and are experiencing symptoms?

Anyone who has consumed products from Drôme Ardèche Tradition (26) and is experiencing fever, whether alone or accompanied by headaches and body aches, is advised to consult their doctor and mention this consumption.

To reduce the risk of listeriosis, particularly for those most at risk – the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women – it is essential to follow good food hygiene practices .

The list of affected products is available on Rappel conso – catégorie viandes | the website for alerts on dangerous products.

Listeriosis, a rare but potentially serious disease

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, often found in the environment and some foods. It primarily affects the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems, particularly those with cancer, liver disease, transplant recipients, and dialysis patients. More rarely, seemingly healthy individuals can be affected.
Learn more about the disease

A disease that has been on the rise since 2021

Between 1999 and 2020, the annual number of listeriosis cases ranged from 188 to 414, with annual incidences between 3.1 and 6.2 cases per million inhabitants. Since 2021, a steady increase has been observed: 619 cases were reported in 2024 (an incidence of 9 cases per million inhabitants). This upward trend is also seen in many other European countries.
The aging population and the rise in age-related chronic diseases are the factors contributing to the occurrence of listeriosis.
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​https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/...anger-de-l-entreprise-drome-ardeche-tradition
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March 12, 2026 Press Release

Confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to the withdrawal and recall of cooked deli meat products from the company Drôme Ardèche Tradition

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Consumers are urged to be vigilant

As part of the surveillance of listeriosis cases, health authorities, in conjunction with Public Health France, identified twelve cases occurring between September 2025 and January 2026, including seven in January. The median age of the patients was 81 years. Among these twelve patients, two deaths were reported in individuals over 75 years of age with comorbidities.

Food safety and traceability investigations launched by government agencies regarding these cases led, on February 24, 2026, to suspicions surrounding products marketed by the Drôme Ardèche Tradition facility located in Bourg-de-Péage (26). An inspection of the facility was carried out, and official samples were taken by the Drôme Departmental Directorate for Population Protection. Based on the findings of the inspection, a prefectural order suspending operations was issued, and the company proceeded to withdraw and recall all products manufactured at the site, under the supervision of government agencies.

Analyses carried out by the National Reference Centre (CNR) Listeria at the Pasteur Institute on March 10 confirmed the presence on a product from this establishment of a strain of the bacteria genetically similar to those identified in the sick, which confirms the link between these cases and the consumption of the company's products.

Health authorities remind people who may possess these products not to consume them.

The list of products affected by the recalls is published on the government
website RappelConso: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/categorie/0/1/26.057.001
Products: caillettes, pâtés en croûte, other cooked charcuterie
Trademarks: "Drôme salaisons", "Jules Courtial", or no trademark
Health mark: FR 26.057.001 EU
Products sold between January 17 and February 28, 2026

Health recommendations

Anyone in possession of the affected products is asked not to consume them. For up to eight weeks after consumption, anyone who has consumed these products and experiences fever, whether alone or accompanied by headaches and body aches, should consult their doctor and inform them of this consumption. Severe forms of the illness, including neurological complications and maternal or fetal complications in pregnant women, can sometimes occur. Pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly should be particularly vigilant for these symptoms.

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes . This bacterium is very resistant in the environment, and its optimal growth temperature is between 30 and 37°C. Sensitive to heat, it is destroyed after 30 minutes of cooking at 60°C. It is widespread in the environment and can be found in soil, water, plants, and many animal reservoirs. It can also be present in the home environment (refrigerators and freezers) due to its ability to grow at low, even very low, temperatures. To learn more:

• Listeriosis - Ministry of Health, Family, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities
• Update on listeriosis cases linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat deli meats from the company Drôme Ardèche Tradition – Public Health France
• Listeriosis | Public Health France
• Listeriosis – Pasteur Institute
• Product recall – suspected presence of listeria – Drôme Prefecture

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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/cas-con...t-rappel-des-produits-de-charcuterie-cuite-de

 

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Translation Google

Twelve cases of listeriosis, including two fatalities: "Some people may still be in the incubation period."

ICE Drôme Ardèche ,
Florence Gotschaux
Broadcast on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Published on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:31 AM

Health authorities released on Thursday the (provisional) figures for the number of people infected by Drôme Ardèche Tradition deli meats. Twelve people have fallen ill, two of whom have died from listeriosis. Mathieu Tourdjman of Public Health France discusses these infections.

Health authorities are urging consumers who have purchased products sold under the Drôme Salaisons and Jules Courtial brands, as well as through numerous store brands, not to consume them. The source of the contamination affecting the twelve people is now clear . State investigations have traced the source back to "Drôme Ardèche Tradition," as explained by Mathieu Tourdjman of Public Health France, a guest on ICI Drôme Ardèche this Friday, March 13th .

ICI Drôme Ardèche - How are you sure of the origin of the bacteria?

Mathieu Tourdjman - The epidemiological investigation revealed that these twelve people consumed pâté en croûte more frequently than usual. Traceability was established for the pâtés en croûte. Once this traceability led back to the company "Drôme Ardèche Tradition," the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection visited the company and took samples: the same strain found in the human cases was present in the company's products. This is a significant confirmation.

The incubation period for listeriosis can be quite long, from one to two months.

Should we fear other patients?

Listeriosis is a notifiable disease, but failure to report it is possible. However, since it's an illness that, in the vast majority of cases, leads to hospitalization, we receive reports from the hospital. Therefore, I don't think we have many unreported cases. What is possible, however, is that cases could still occur, since the incubation period for listeriosis can be quite long, from one to two months . That is, the time between consuming a contaminated product and developing symptoms can be up to two months.

So it's possible that some people consumed the products, let's say, in the last month, and haven't yet become ill. However, since February 10th, we haven't documented any new cases of this bacterial strain. So the more time passes, the less likely it is that we'll have new cases. But we can't yet rule out the possibility that there are other people who are in the incubation period or for whom the analyses carried out on their strain will show that they were infected with this same strain.

The product recall was widespread. You mentioned pâté en croûte, but could the contamination have occurred with other deli meats?

We received a report about pâté en croûte, which led us to this company. Subsequently, the findings of the Ministry of Agriculture at the company revealed that the risk was not under control. Therefore, even though we hadn't received any reports for other products, the recall was extended.

Are patients still hospitalized today? How are they doing? Should we fear more deaths?

Two people have indeed been hospitalized, but I cannot tell you who has been discharged and who is still hospitalized, because we have information at the time of the initial report, but not information on follow-up. And we do not release information on deaths because that is personal health data. I can only tell you that there have been two deaths to date , but I cannot tell you if other people are in critical condition. This is medical monitoring, not epidemiological monitoring.

Where are cases of listeriosis recorded?

We have nine cases in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, one in Normandy, one in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and one in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, but I cannot tell you where the deceased lived. No cases have been identified in Drôme or Ardèche.

A relatively rare disease

Not everyone dies from listeriosis; only vulnerable people are affected.

Listeria is a bacterium found in the environment, in the digestive tract of animals, and can contaminate food through surface contamination. Like you, I've probably been eating Listeria for a very long time, every day or at least frequently. And yet, we rarely get sick, or not at all. It's actually a relatively rare illness, with only about 600 cases per year, compared to the millions of meals consumed annually in France.

Indeed, the vast majority of cases occur in people who are frail, with comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and so on—a whole range of diseases that can predispose individuals to frailty. But advanced age also increases the risk of listeriosis, and pregnant women are also at risk.

How did the bacteria end up in the company?

It could be a raw material that arrived unprocessed and, most often, contaminated the company's environment. It's important to know that it's quite difficult for companies to get rid of these bacteria. There are control plans that are rather complex. These are bacteria known to be able to survive for sometimes long periods in a company environment . And so, it's always difficult to eliminate them; it's one of the risks associated with food processing. I can't say for sure how the bacteria got in, but it's clearly probably a raw material that contaminated the company's surfaces.

At what point were you alerted to contamination by the cured meats of the company Drôme Ardèche Tradition?

It's important to know that routinely, cases of listeriosis are reported and the strains are sent to the Pasteur Institute. As soon as two strains are identical, the Pasteur Institute notifies us, and we then investigate whether the individuals have anything in common. We were informed in early November about two cases of people who had the same strains, but at that point, it's very difficult to identify a common factor when you only have two people.

Until mid-January, we couldn't identify any common foods among the people affected because we had a very small number of cases. It was only in mid-February, after the identification of seven new cases, that we were able to identify, based on their food consumption, the higher-than-average frequency of pâté en croûte consumption I mentioned earlier, and thus point the finger at the company and immediately launch an inspection.

https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions...s-sont-peut-etre-encore-en-incubation-3940219