§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What harmful organisms have been reported in imported French cheeses; and
Which French cheeses are not recommended for consumption by pregnant women.
§ Baroness CumberlegeNo harmful organisms in French cheeses have been reported to central government this year.
The Department of Health's leaflet, While You Are Pregnant. advises pregnant women not to eat certain ripened cheeses such as camembert, brie, and the blue-veined varieties which may contain high levels of listeria. These types of cheese are made in a number of countries. There is no advice relating specifically to cheeses made in France.