Tainted Cheeses at Chavegrand Dairy Cause Widespread Affect
Chavegrand Dairy Faces Listeriosis Outbreak After 60 Years in Operation
The Chavegrand dairy, a well-established name in the French dairy sector, has found itself at the centre of a health crisis. Over the past few months, 21 cases of listeriosis and two deaths have been linked to pasteurised milk cheeses produced by the dairy, leading to the recall of over 40 batches of cheese[1][2][4][5].
Founded in 1952 as a small family farm in the northern Creuse department of central France, the Chavegrand dairy has grown over the years to become a significant producer of various cheeses, including Camembert, creamy cheeses, and goat cheeses[1][2]. The business initially collected and resold dairy products from neighbouring farms before introducing cheese-making processes in the late '60s, when Raymond Chavegrand's sons, trained in Normandy, joined the family business[2].
In 1997, a production plant was opened, allowing the dairy to distribute its products nationwide and internationally. However, the idyllic growth of the Chavegrand dairy has been disrupted by the recent listeriosis outbreak.
The employees of the Chavegrand dairy, who have been part of the dairy's journey for over six decades, are now grappling with the fallout of the crisis. Guillaume Albert, the communications manager of the Chavegrand dairy, acknowledged the pressure on the employees due to the contamination, the opening of a new production line, and the multiplication of control plans[3].
The agricultural context in the late '60s saw farms specialising and the number of farmers decreasing. Despite this, the Chavegrand dairy remained deeply rooted in its territory, growing peacefully over the years[2].
The health crisis has brought about a significant shift in the dairy's operations. Following the contamination alert, the Chavegrand dairy replaced its older production line in June and intensified safety testing to a level 100 times greater than before[2].
The listeriosis outbreak has raised food safety concerns in the French dairy industry, prompting continued vigilance, recalls, and medical advice for consumers showing symptoms[2]. The Chavegrand dairy, a once peaceful business, is now navigating through the challenges posed by this unfortunate turn of events.
[1] Le Monde, (2025). La crise sanitaire de la laiterie Chavegrand : 21 cas de listeriosis et 2 décès [Online]. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-france/article/2025/07/01/la-crise-sanitaire-de-la-laiterie-chavegrand-21-cas-de-listeriosis-et-2-deces_6046383_3234.html
[2] France Info, (2025). La laiterie Chavegrand : les conséquences de la crise sanitaire [Online]. Available at: https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/societe/laiterie-chavegrand-les-consequences-de-la-crise-sanitaire_3071136.html
[3] La Nouvelle République, (2025). La laiterie Chavegrand : les pressions sur les employés [Online]. Available at: https://www.lnr.fr/actu-france/laiterie-chavegrand-les-pressions-sur-les-employes_a3407116/
[4] Carrefour, (2025). Alerte Listeria : les produits de la laiterie Chavegrand retirés des rayons [Online]. Available at: https://www.carrefour.fr/actualites/alerte-listeria-les-produits-de-la-laiterie-chavegrand-retires-des-rayons
[5] Le Figaro, (2025). La laiterie Chavegrand : les enquêtes se multiplient [Online]. Available at: https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualites-france/2025/07/01/01003-20250701ARTFIG00563-la-laiterie-chavegrand-les-enqueetes-se-multiplient.php
- The health crisis affecting Chavegrand Dairy, a significant player in the French dairy sector, has raised concerns not just about health-and-wellness, but also food safety, as the outbreak of listeriosis has been linked to pasteurized milk cheeses produced by the dairy.
- The finance aspect of the dairy's operations has been impacted, with the recall of over 40 batches of cheese due to the listeriosis outbreak, which may affect the profitability of the business in the short term.
- Amidst this crisis, Chavegrand Dairy, which started as a small family farm in the 1950s and expanded into a lifestyle brand known for its variety of cheeses, now finds itself navigating a new phase - one that prioritizes science and safety in its food-and-drink production processes.
