Listeriosis scare prompts Chile to pull brie

updated 5:50 p.m. ET Nov. 25, 2008

SANTIAGO, Chile - Chilean officials are ordering a recall of a brie cheese suspected of causing a listeriosis bacteria outbreak that has killed four people.

The health ministry says investigators are trying to determine if Brie Lescure cheese made by the Chilean-French Chevrita company is responsible for an outbreak of the disease that also has sickened about 90 people.

The cheese has been exported to the United States in the past, but the company says no shipments have been sent since 2006.

Chevrita manager Denis Lebret said Tuesday the company is conducting its own investigation and he says the recall is "just a precaution."

He said the brie "is made with pasteurized milk and the bacteria does not resist pasteurization."

MORE FROM FOOD SAFETY

Food Safety Section Front

Concerns over superbugs in our food supply Illinois meat firm recalling beef due to E. coli Nestle dough’s E. coli doesn’t match outbreak Stricter labeling urged for bottled water Can new U.S. rules make food safer to eat? Two energy drink brands recalled for tampering E. coli in beef linked to 12 hospitalizations FDA confirms E. coli in Nestle cookie dough Beef recall expanded with 18 possibly sickened Nestlé refused FDA information, reports show Food Safety Section Front   Add Food Safety headlines to your news reader: