TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — French retailer Carrefour recalled its Saint-Félicien cheese across Taiwan on May 1, following a global recall of the cheese product as a precaution against the risk of E. coli contamination.

Tung Ching-hsin (董靜馨), an official from the Food and Drug Administration, said on Wednesday (May 8) that Carrefour Taiwan notified the administration on April 29 of a global recall announcement issued by its French headquarters about its own brand Saint-Félicien cheese, the Central News Agency reported.

The Saint-Félicien cheese, produced in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, is feared of having caused 13 food poisoning cases linked to E. coli in France, other reports said. Victims are all children aged six months to four.

People having food contaminated by E. coli could suffer acute gastroenteritis. Some people, such as children, elderly people or patients with serious illnesses, may even suffer sepsis caused by such food-borne infection.

Tung said following the report from Carrefour Taiwan, the administration issued a warning on May 1. Carrefour Taiwan has also autonomously recalled the cheese product.

Companies who fail to report and recall food products suspected of contamination violate the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation and could face a fine of up to NT$3 million (US$64,100), said Tung.

Carrefour is still investigating the cause of possible contamination.

Yen Tsung-hai (顏宗海), director of the Clinical Poison Center at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said symptoms of E. coli-led food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.