The Recalled Product
Maison Gabriel Coulet brand Roquefort – La Cave cheese (100 g wedge) has been recalled in Canada due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
- The product: “Roquefort – La Cave – Slice / Wedge 100 g” with UPC 8 22775 00337 2 and lot code/“Best Before” date of Nov. 3, 2025.
- Distribution: Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
- Consumer instruction: Do not consume, use, sell or distribute the recalled product.
- As of the recall notice, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.
So the key takeaway is: if you have this exact product (brand, 100 g size, best before Nov 3 2025) in Ontario or Quebec, you should throw it away or return it to the store, and avoid consuming it.
Why this is especially important: Listeria’s dangers
While many foodborne pathogens are serious, Listeria monocytogenes has a few characteristics that make it especially noteworthy in food-safety:
Survival and growth in cold conditions
Unlike many bacteria that struggle in cooler environments, L. monocytogenes can survive and even grow at refrigeration temperatures.
For example:
- It thrives in damp, cool food-processing environments, and those conditions can allow it to contaminate ready-to-eat foods.
- Because of that, foods that are chilled or stored for longer periods (especially ready-to-eat, soft cheeses, deli meats, etc.) are of particular risk.
High risk to vulnerable groups & more serious outcomes
While many foodborne illnesses primarily cause mild to moderate symptoms, Listeria infection (listeriosis) can lead to very serious outcomes, especially in certain populations:
- Pregnant women: Listeriosis may be mild or flu-like in the mother, but the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Older adults (65+), people with weakened immune systems (e.g., from cancer, immunosuppressive therapy), and infants: They face higher risk of invasive disease (infection of bloodstream or central nervous system) and death.
- Mortality rate for invasive listeriosis is higher than many other foodborne pathogens.
The stealthy nature of contamination
- Because Listeria can persist in processing and storage environments (cold, damp surfaces, cracks in equipment etc.), contamination may go undetected for longer periods.
- Foods may be contaminated without obvious spoilage signs. A product may look, smell, and taste normal yet still carry Listeria. (As seen in the recall above, the alert is due to “possible contamination,” not visible spoilage.)
- The incubation period for listeriosis is variable: from a few days up to several weeks in some cases. That complicates linking illness back to a specific food.
Foods often implicated
Certain categories of food appear more frequently in Listeria recalls or outbreaks:
- Soft cheeses (especially those made with unpasteurized milk, or surface-ripened/mould-ripened cheeses) and blue-veined cheeses.
- Ready-to-eat deli meats, smoked fish, pre-prepared salads.
- Because this recall involves a blue/veined cheese (Roquefort) it falls into a known risk category.
What to do (for consumers)
Given the recall and the nature of Listeria risk, here are practical steps:
- If you have the recalled product, stop consuming it. Return it to the store or discard it.
- For at-risk individuals (pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised), avoid foods known to be higher risk: soft cheeses (especially those unpasteurised or surface-ripened), deli meats not thoroughly heated, etc.
- Clean and sanitize surfaces, utensils, and fridge interior regularly. Because Listeria can survive at refrigeration temperatures and on damp surfaces, controlling cross-contamination is important.
- Pay attention to recalls and alerts. Even products that appear safe may carry risk, so staying informed helps.
- When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider, especially if you’re in a high-risk group and suspect exposure. Symptoms of listeriosis (e.g., fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms or — in severe cases — headache and stiff neck) should prompt medical attention.
In summary: The recall of Maison Gabriel Coulet’s Roquefort cheese underscores a broader truth: even high-end artisan foods can be vulnerable to dangerous pathogens like Listeria. Because Listeria can thrive in cold storage, affects vulnerable populations severely, and may appear in foods that look “fine,” it demands serious attention from both producers and consumers.
