A 27-year-old woman has died in Montpellier after suffering a severe intoxication potentially linked to dried morels, prompting a nationwide recall of products sold in France.
Marie-Lou died at the Montpellier University Hospital on Tuesday, November 3, after becoming seriously ill following a meal that included dried morels.
French authorities have said the link between the mushrooms, her symptoms and her death remains under investigation.
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What happened in Montpellier
Marie-Lou reportedly prepared a chicken-and-morels dish on Monday, November 2.
Severe gastrointestinal symptoms developed within hours, and she contacted a regional poison-control and toxicovigilance centre before being directed to hospital care.
Despite treatment, she died the following day.
Her sister, Julia, announced the death publicly and said the young woman experienced a rapid deterioration involving several vital organs.
Those details come from the family and have not been presented as a final medical determination of the cause of death.
The Montpellier prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the cause of death.
Toxicological testing and other examinations are expected to help determine whether the recalled product caused the intoxication.
Which dried morels have been recalled
The main recall involves 60-gram packages of ChampiBon dried morels sold through B&M stores across France between October 12 and November 3, 2026.
The recalled B&M product carries reference 534199, GTIN 3760201609743 and a best-before date of December 1, 2029.
The recall covers all lots identified under that product listing.
A separate ChampiBon dried-morels product in a 400-gram format, sold through Promocash, has also been recalled.
That product was distributed nationally from June 23 to November 3, 2026.
| Product | Retailer | Consumer action |
|---|---|---|
| ChampiBon dried morels, 60 g | B&M | Do not consume; return to the store |
| ChampiBon dried morels, 400 g | Promocash | Do not consume; destroy the product |
France’s official RappelConso system identifies the suspected hazard as probable contamination of a batch of morels by a toxin that may cause food poisoning.
The listed symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting within hours of consumption, with severe dehydration possible in rare cases.
What consumers should do
Anyone who has one of the recalled products should not eat it, even if it has already been cooked.
The B&M product should be returned to the retailer for a refund, while the Promocash product should be destroyed according to the retailer’s recall instructions.
People who consumed the affected mushrooms and develop diarrhoea, vomiting or other concerning symptoms should contact a poison-control centre promptly.
RappelConso lists the consumer contact number as 04 73 69 90 60 and directs consumers to France’s poison-control network for medical advice.
Consumers should keep the packaging or photograph the product label if possible, as the barcode, product reference and date information can help authorities and health professionals identify the item involved.
Why the investigation is continuing
The recall notice describes a probable toxin contamination, but it does not establish that every product in the affected listings is contaminated or definitively prove that the recalled mushrooms caused Marie-Lou’s death.
Authorities are continuing laboratory analyses and examinations to clarify the source of the intoxication and the precise medical cause of death.
Until those findings are available, the suspected connection should be described as a potential link rather than a confirmed conclusion.
The case has nevertheless led to precautionary action across France, with both the retailer and the national food-recall system warning consumers not to use the affected dried-morel products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Marie-Lou in Montpellier?
The 27-year-old died on November 3, 2026, after a severe intoxication potentially linked to dried morels eaten the previous day. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Which dried morels were recalled?
The recall includes ChampiBon dried morels in 60-gram packages sold at B&M and a 400-gram product sold through Promocash in France.
What symptoms are associated with the recalled mushrooms?
French recall authorities list diarrhoea and vomiting occurring within hours of consumption, with severe dehydration possible in rare cases.
What should I do if I bought the product?
Do not consume it. Return the 60-gram B&M product to the store, or destroy the 400-gram Promocash product as directed by the recall notice.
What should I do if I ate the recalled morels?
Contact a poison-control centre promptly if symptoms develop, and seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening symptoms.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against France’s official RappelConso recall notices, the retailer’s recall information and current reporting on the Montpellier investigation.
Disclaimer: The suspected link between the recalled mushrooms and the death has not yet been confirmed by toxicological or investigative findings.