Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak in France Linked to RTE Meats
A listeriosis outbreak linked to ready-to-eat deli (RTE) meat products has resulted in 12 illnesses and two deaths. All patients required hospitalization.
French public health authorities have identified Drôme Ardèche Tradition as the producer of the implicated goods. A recall has been initiated, and sales of product from the implicated facility have been suspended.
Public Health France reported that the 12 confirmed cases of listeriosis were identified through epidemiological and microbiological investigations conducted with the Directorate General for Food (DGAL) and the National Reference Center (CNR). Listeria monocytogenes-positive samples that matched isolates from the outbreak cases were collected between October 13, 2025 and January 23, 2026.
A total of seven cases were recorded in January 2026. No new cases have been identified since February 11, 2026.
A list of affected products can be found on the French public information website Rappel Conso.
Investigation Linked Cases to Pâté en Croûte Products
Epidemiological interviews conducted in early February identified that several patients had consumed pâté en croûte. Traceability investigations determined that the products originated from the same producer, Drôme Ardèche Tradition based in Bourg-de-Péage.
Following an investigation of the production facility, authorities suspended the sale of products from the establishment that may have been contaminated after cooking. A recall of affected products already on the market was initiated on March 5, 2026.
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Laboratory analyses by the National Reference Centre for Listeria monocytogenes confirmed that strains isolated from products produced by the facility matched those isolated from infected patients.
Illness Case Details
The affected individuals included seven women and five men aged between 34 and 93 years, with a median age of 81. All but one of the patients were over the age of 65, and ten had underlying conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or advanced age. Clinical presentations included eight cases of bacteremia, three neuromeningeal infections, and one maternal-neonatal infection.
The cases were reported across several regions of France: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (nine), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (one), Normandy (one), and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (one).
