Melons sold in Carrefour supermarkets recalled across France

A nationwide recall of melons sold in Carrefour stores is underway in France due to elevated traces of pesticides.

Rappel Conso, France’s official product recall site, issued an alert yesterday (July 9) - specifically concerning melons de Provence by the brand Reflets de France.

The melons were sold loose (en vrac) between June 21 and July 8.

There are no batch numbers or identification stickers attached to the affected fruits. Carrefour customers need to check the purchase date of the melon to see if they are affected by the recall. 

High traces of pesticides 

The recall was issued due to high traces of fluazifop-P, a herbicide used to control grass weeds.

The melons exceed les limites maximales de résidus (LMR), which measure “the maximum level of pesticide residues legally authorised in or on edible goods and animal feed,” says the Ministry of Agriculture.

Read also: New way to measure pesticide use in France angers green groups

The Pesticide Properties DataBase published by the University of Hertfordshire says fluazifop can be “harmful [to humans] if inhaled or ingested” and deems it a “kidney, spleen and liver toxicant.”

The database also states fluazifop-P is a skin sensitiser. It may irritate the skin and respiratory tract and may cause eye cataracts. 

Anyone who has eaten one of the recalled products and has any of the symptoms above should contact a medical professional.

Full refunds issued 

The melons should not be eaten or used in any way. Instead, they must be thrown away. 

You can contact consumer services by calling +33 (0)8 05 90 80 70. 

Customers will be fully refunded.

The recall campaign will end on July 26, 2025.

You can find full details about the recalled melons on the official RappelConso site.

Read also: Summer fruit: warm weather boosts apricot and blackcurrant production in France