Plants recalled in France over soil contaminated by a parasite
The presence of crop-destroying worms has led to a second recall in as many months of the houseplant
Ficus Ginseng are popular houseplants, as they withstand warmer temperatures
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A number of plants sold in stores across France have been recalled after the presence of a parasite in the soil the product was planted in.
The soil contained the Meloidogyne enterolobii parasite which could present “an environmental risk” to France says official recall website RappelConso.
The plants were sold across France in Bricomarché, Gamm Vert, Côté Nature and Lore Basa stores.
All of the plants recalled are Ficus Ginseng (sometimes called Ficus Ginseng Microcarpa) and were sold between February 14 and May 17.
The full list of recalled plants can be found on the official RappelConso website.
It follows a recall of ficus ginseng plants last month, also for the presence of the same parasite, which affected stores and supermarkets across France.
Plants can be returned to the store of purchase for a refund by the end of this week (June 30) – and should be returned to the shop carried inside a plastic bag.
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The plants were sold under the following code:
GTIN: 106381326 / Lot C56702
If you are concerned or have any questions there is a helpline to call: 06 36 13 45 87.
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Not dangerous to humans
The parasite in question is a species of nematode, a type of worm that lives in the soil and affects the roots of certain plants and crops.
It does not pose a risk to human health but does to the environment as it can lead to plant death and crop failure.
If you have purchased one of the recalled plants and re-potted it, you should return the plant and also disinfect the pot and tools used when re-potting to prevent further spread of the parasite in your garden.
If you do not return the plant to the store, one piece of advice is to either burn the plant (along with the soil it came with, or any soil used to re-pot the plant) or bury it in lime (chaux, not citron vert).
One estimate is that nematode species (not just the specific one found in the recalled plants) cause up to 5% of crop failures across the world.
Meloidogyne enterolobii is particularly dangerous to bell pepper and aubergine plants.
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