Suspected toxin contamination prompted recalls of two ChampiBon dried morel products after a woman in Montpellier, France, died a day after having eaten the mushrooms.
France's health ministry is investigating a possible link between the mushrooms, her symptoms, and her death, according to The Connexion, citing France's health ministry.
Here's what to know
Severe gastrointestinal symptoms started just hours after she ate the dried morels.
The woman, a 27-year-old identified only as Marie-Lou, had no underlying health conditions.
Prompt medical attention at a hospital did not save her life; she succumbed to the illness the following day.
Marie-Lou sought help from a regional poison control center after becoming ill, and the center directed her to the nearest hospital.
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"A link is suspected between the consumption of morels, the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the death," the ministry said, adding that "further analyses are underway."
An autopsy has been ordered, according to The Connexion, and the Montpellier prosecutor opened an investigation into her cause of death.
More background
France's product recall website, RappelConso, identified the recalled ChampiBon product as lot number 262306, with the barcode 3760201600023.
The notice pertains to 14.1-ounce (400g) packets of ChampiBon's dried morels, distributed by Promocash between June 23 and Nov. 3, 2026.
Between Oct. 12 and Nov. 3, 2026, B&M locations throughout France sold ChampiBon dried morels that were part of a previous recall.
That recall applies to 2.1-ounce (60g) packets with the barcode 3760201609743 and reference number 534199.
RappelConso's listings for both recalled products show a Dec. 1, 2029 use-by date.
What can be done?
RappelConso's notices cited possible contamination with an unspecified toxin as the reason for the recalls.
Both were issued voluntarily.
Severe dehydration is a rare potential consequence of the vomiting and diarrhea described in the recall warnings. Those symptoms can start within hours of eating the mushrooms.
Buyers of the recalled 2.1-ounce (60g) B&M packets can return them to the retailer for reimbursement or discard them.
Consumers should destroy the 14.1-ounce (400g) Promocash packets, and officials warned that people should not consume either recalled product.
France's national poison control number, 01 45 42 59 59, operates around the clock. RappelConso advises anyone who develops diarrhea or vomiting within a few hours of eating the mushrooms to call a poison control center immediately.
The woman's sister described the progression of her illness in an Instagram post.
"She had a very rare reaction and her organs shut down one after another."
Where can I learn more?
Food recalls and contamination warnings have also reached shoppers in the U.S. and UK. These stories cover U.S. food recalls, shellfish-linked outbreaks, and contamination warnings involving eggs and gelato.
• The FDA warned that La Serranita black clams from Ecuador were linked to hepatitis A, with 30 hospitalized.
• A Salmonella outbreak traced to Virginia oysters sickened 27, prompting recalls in 15 states.
• UK shoppers were told to discard repacked eggs after Salmonella was traced to a Ukrainian supplier.
• Lidl shoppers in 10 states were urged to discard gelato due to possible Listeria contamination.
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