Health Alert Issued After Listeria Found at Lot of Saveurs Festival Banquet
Authorities have detected Listeria contamination in food served at the Grand Banquet during the Lot of Saveurs festival in Cahors. While no illnesses have been reported, officials are urging attendees to remain vigilant for symptoms over the coming weeks as investigations continue into the source of the bacteria.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Listeria bacteria detected in duck shepherd's pie served at the Grand Banquet in Cahors.
- Over two thousand guests attended the event on June 27, 2026.
- No illnesses have been reported to date, and investigations into the contamination source are ongoing.
- Health officials advise monitoring for symptoms for up to eight weeks post-ingestion.
Health officials have issued an advisory following the detection of Listeria contamination in a food item served during a popular regional event. The issue pertains to a duck shepherd's pie—locally known as a parmentier de canard—which was distributed to thousands of attendees at the Grand Banquet held during the Lot of Saveurs festival in Cahors on June 27, 2026.
The contamination was identified on July 3, 2026, through routine quality control procedures conducted by the culinary production unit of the Grand Cahors. While the presence of the bacteria was confirmed in samples, authorities have emphasized that no cases of illness have been reported among the event's participants to date. Officials noted that the samples tested were taken prior to the final heating process, which generally serves to mitigate such health risks.
Health Vigilance and Advisory
Despite the current absence of reported sickness, Grand Cahors is maintaining a high level of vigilance and has proactively engaged in investigations to trace the origin of the Listeria. The public health response is guided by caution, particularly for vulnerable demographics, including the elderly, newborn infants, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Medical professionals have advised that anyone who attended the banquet and experiences symptoms such as fever, persistent headaches, or body aches should contact their primary care physician. In the event of unavailability, residents are encouraged to utilize the designated emergency medical service line, 116 117. It is important for potential attendees to be aware that Listeria-related symptoms can manifest up to eight weeks following the consumption of contaminated food.
For those who feel perfectly healthy, there is no immediate requirement to undergo medical testing or begin antibiotic treatments. The organization responsible for the event has committed to maintaining full transparency as the situation evolves and further investigative results become available. Community members are encouraged to monitor official communications regarding this food safety incident as more information is gathered by health inspectors.
