Mushrooms recalled in France after suspected food poisoning death

A batch of dried mushrooms has been recalled from stores in France following the sudden death of a young woman in Montpellier. 

Named as Marie-Lou on social media, the 27-year-old consumed dried morels sold under the ChampiBon brand on November 2.

According to the health ministry, the woman, who had no underlying health conditions, “presented with severe gastrointestinal symptoms… a few hours after consuming dried morels."

The ministry said she contacted the regional poison control centre after becoming unwell and was directed to the nearest hospital, where she received immediate medical treatment.

Despite this prompt action, she died the next day.

The ministry said that “a link is suspected between the consumption of morels, the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the death," adding that "further analyses are underway."

The Montpellier prosecutor, meanwhile, has opened an investigation into the cause of death and an autopsy has been ordered.

In a post on Instagram, the woman’s sister explained that “she had a very rare reaction and her organs shut down one after another.”

Two ChampiBon products recalled

Following the incident, RappelConso, France’s product recall website, announced the recall of the product.

It concerns 400g packets of dried ChampiBon morels sold through Promocash. It affects lot number 262306, with barcode 3760201600023. The products were sold between June 23 and November 3, 2026.

An earlier recall also concerned 60g packets of dried ChampiBon morels sold by B&M stores across France.

The product has the barcode 3760201609743 and reference number 534199. It was sold between October 12 and November 3, 2026.

Both products have a use-by date of December 1, 2029.

The recalls indicated that they were made voluntarily due to suspected contamination with a toxin that could cause food poisoning. The toxin could cause diarrhoea and vomiting within hours of consumption. In rare cases, these symptoms could lead to severe dehydration.

What should consumers do?

Anyone who has bought either of the recalled products should not eat them. They should either throw them away or return them to their point of sale for a refund.

The 400g packets sold through Promocash should be destroyed.

Anyone who has eaten the mushrooms and develops diarrhoea or vomiting within hours should contact a poison control centre immediately.

The national poison control number is 01 45 42 59 59, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.