French Author Dies From Food Poisoning After Eating Dried Morels

A 27-year-old French author named Marie-Lou has died at the Montpellier University Hospital following a severe bout of food poisoning caused by consuming dried morels. Her sister announced the tragedy on social media, explaining that the young writer had cooked the mushrooms with chicken, which was her favorite meal.

According to her sister, medical staff at the Montpellier hospital did everything possible to save her, but she suffered an extremely rare and powerful reaction. Her vital organs failed one after another following the ingestion of the mushrooms, which had been purchased from a commercial retailer.

The dried morels involved in the incident were sold in 60-gram jars under the brand name Champibon. Following the fatal intoxication, the product became the subject of a national recall listed on the French governmental recall portal under reference 2026-11-0023, distributed by B & M France SAS.

Government warnings indicated that the suspect batch of dried morels could have been contaminated with a toxin capable of triggering food poisoning symptoms. Consumers typically experience adverse effects such as diarrhea and vomiting within hours of consumption, which can occasionally lead to severe dehydration.

The company B & M France expressed deep emotion regarding the young woman's death in an official statement. Representatives for the firm noted that the exact circumstances of the death and any definitive link to the recalled product remain to be established by authorities.

The commercial distributor added that it immediately launched a precautionary national recall for the 60-gram jars of Champibon dried morels sold in its stores between October 12 and November 3, 2026, after initial communications with the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection.

Company officials have urged customers who purchased the product to check their supplies and contact designated consumer support channels with any relevant purchase or consumption dates to assist with ongoing investigations into the contaminated lot.