Warning: EHEC danger from French raw milk cheese in Germany!

Warning: EHEC danger from French raw milk cheese in Germany!

There is currently serious news for cheese lovers in Cologne and the surrounding regions. A recall has caused a stir because the French raw milk cheese “Chavignol AOP” from the Dubois Boulay brand was in the headlines due to EHEC bacteria. Loud Ruhr24 The EHEC bacteria are particularly problematic due to the detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the cheese. The federal states particularly affected include Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

Alarming reports of EHEC cases are increasing in Germany, with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania particularly badly affected with over 130 cases between August and September 2025. The best before date of the affected cheese is October 31, 2025 and December 15, 2025, while the recall batch is designated PONT0509. Consumers who have purchased this cheese should exercise extreme caution and never consume it.

Symptoms and health risks

EHEC infections can present with symptoms such as watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Children under five, older people and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. If you suspect an EHEC infection, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately and report cheese consumption. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which occurs in 5 to 8 percent of cases, can have serious consequences and is the most common cause of acute kidney failure in children, as reported by the Robert Koch Institute documented on the subject of EHEC.

Imminent symptoms could occur between two and ten days after exposure, making it even more important to be vigilant. It is all the more important to take hygiene and safe food preparation seriously. The EHEC bacteria are mainly found in the intestines of cattle, sheep and goats, which means that transmission can occur through contaminated food, traces of feces or through direct contact with animals.

Prevention measures and return

Consumers should destroy the cheese immediately and can return it for a refund of the purchase price. Further recalls in the past have shown that other foods such as contaminated sprouts and Mettwurst were also a central issue at Penny. To protect yourself, it is recommended to take hygienic measures: These include washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, storing raw meat and cheese separately, and heating food to at least 70 degrees.

The increasing EHEC cases not only pose challenges for medical professionals but also require rapid action by health authorities to identify the sources of infection. Although information about this pathogen is available, it remains up to those affected and health services to take preventative measures and thus identify the possible route of infection.

The common goal remains to inform the population as best as possible and to protect them from the dangers of EHEC bacteria, as the RKI also strives for in its publications.