Chocolate Mousse Recalled in Belgium Over Listeria Risk
Belgian food manufacturer Alfiero has withdrawn its frozen chocolate mousse from store shelves across the country over the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the company announced in coordination with the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV/AFSCA).
The recall, published by the FAVV on September 8, affects Alfiero-branded chocolate mousse sold in 90-gram plastic pots with lids. The affected batch carries lot number 1388 and a best-before date of December 3, 2027. The product was distributed through various retail points across Belgium between June 19 and September 8, 2026.
What Consumers Should Do
Alfiero is asking customers who purchased the affected product not to consume it and to return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Consumers seeking additional information can contact Sayout Ahlam, the company’s Quality Manager, at +32 470 21 89 15.
According to VRT NWS, the precautionary withdrawal was initiated in consultation with the Belgian food safety authority after potential contamination was identified.
Understanding Listeria Risk
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a potentially serious infection. The bacterium is particularly concerning in frozen products because it can survive freezing temperatures, remaining viable even when the product is stored at sub-zero conditions.
Symptoms of listeriosis typically appear between two and 30 days after ingestion and may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, and persistent fever. As RTL Belgium reported, the infection poses the greatest risk to young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, listeriosis can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage in pregnant women.
About Alfiero
The recall marks a challenging moment for Alfiero, a growing Belgian dessert manufacturer based in Seraing in Liège province. Founded in 2016 by three brothers—Serhat, Serdar, and Sefkan Ozturk—the company began with homemade tiramisu made in a family kitchen and has since expanded to produce millions of desserts annually, exporting across Europe and the Middle East.
According to the company’s official website, Alfiero now employs 40 people and operates from a 1,000-square-meter facility in Seraing, having grown from a modest 100-square-meter workshop. The company specializes in reimagined tiramisu and frozen desserts, with RTBF reporting on its expansion ambitions across international markets.
Broader Food Safety Context
The recall comes amid heightened scrutiny of Listeria contamination in ready-to-eat foods across Europe. New EU regulation (EU) 2024/2895 introduces stricter requirements for controlling Listeria monocytogenes in such products, reflecting growing regulatory attention to this food safety concern.
The FAVV maintains a public database of product recalls and warnings on its website, underscoring the active nature of food safety oversight in Belgium. The Alfiero recall is among the most recent additions to this registry.
What to Watch For
Consumers who have purchased Alfiero chocolate mousse should check the lot number and best-before date on the packaging. Those who may have consumed the affected product and experience symptoms consistent with listeriosis should consult a healthcare provider. The FAVV and Alfiero have not yet confirmed whether any illness cases have been linked to this specific batch, and the cause of the potential contamination remains under investigation.