Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s food safety watchdog, the Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN), has sounded the alarm over Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli found in a Spanish goat’s cheese. The affected product — Suerte Ampanera’s “Queso de Cabra Moho Blanco”, lot 2509262, expiry 10 December 2025 — was distributed across several regions, including Madrid, Galicia, and the Basque Country.
The contamination was detected through the company’s own quality checks, which prompted an immediate report to authorities. As a precaution, AESAN urges consumers to avoid eating this product and return or dispose of any affected cheese.
Risks for pregnant women and vulnerable groups
Listeriosis, though uncommon, can be serious — especially for pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. AESAN advises anyone who has consumed the cheese and experiences these symptoms to seek medical care promptly.
Pregnant women should consult the agency’s official guidance on food safety during pregnancy, which lists products to avoid — among them certain soft cheeses — and details hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection.
French cheese also recalled for E. coli STEC
In a separate case, French authorities alerted the European food network (RASFF) to E. coli STEC contamination in Crottin de Chavignol AOP, made by Dubois Boulay. The affected batch, PONT0509, expiry 31 October 2025, was distributed in Catalonia.
This strain of E. coli produces a Shiga toxin that can cause severe stomach cramps and watery, sometimes bloody, diarrhoea. AESAN again stresses that anyone who has this cheese should not eat it, and anyone with symptoms should seek medical advice immediately.
Coordinated withdrawal across Spain
Both incidents were communicated through Spain’s Sistema Coordinado de Intercambio Rápido de Información (SCIRI) — the national rapid alert system linking regional and national food authorities. The affected cheeses are now being withdrawn from sale.
AESAN reminds consumers to maintain strict hygiene when handling food, keeping raw and ready-to-eat products separate to avoid cross-contamination.
A reminder of the importance of vigilance
These twin alerts serve as a warning that even artisan or imported cheeses can harbour serious pathogens if strict hygiene controls are breached. Spain’s rapid response mechanisms — and transparency in publishing recalls — aim to safeguard consumers while reinforcing trust in the food-safety system.
For updates and guidance, consumers can visit the AESAN website to access information on listeriosis, E. coli STEC, and best hygiene practices at home.