Food safety

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Pastries with palm oil, excess packaging, inflated prices…vote for the worst ‘scam’ in this food watchdog’s annual contest

Why these French cheeses are not recommended to young children

Two young children were hospitalised with severe food poisoning in December

Is it now safe to eat French oysters?

Producers have lost an estimated €7m, one farmer said, since a ban on December 27

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Shellfish ban after food poisoning cases in south-west France

Several cases of gastroenteritis have been traced to oysters from the Arcachon basin

Supermarket taboulé and vegetable dishes recalled across France

Unnamed chemical is the cause of recall of over a dozen products

Where is inquiry into fatal botulism outbreak in Bordeaux 10 days on?

The restaurant owner claims he is sure he followed the correct sterilisation procedures

Tracing Bordeaux 'botulism' cases difficult as tourists affected

The wine bar in question is popular with foreign visitors. It is thought that at least 25 people are affected, some of whom may no longer be in France

Nearly 6,000 food products recalled in France over two years

Consumer association calls on government to help producers carry out more tests before items hit the shelves as health officials are too thinly stretched

Takeaways in France will soon have to show where their meat comes from

It has been a requirement for sit-down restaurants since 2022. But it is now being extended to takeaways on a trial basis

Listeria fears spark mass recall of chicken and charcuterie in France

More than 20 products are involved and were sold in all the major French supermarkets

Big recall of goat cheeses in France over E. coli fears

The cheeses were sold in major French supermarkets such as Leclerc, Monoprix, and Super U

Be careful eating wildflowers on spring walks, warns health agency

Confusing wild garlic for colchicum could have fatal consequences

Mass recall of strawberry and raspberry biscuits in France

They were sold in supermarkets across France including Carrefour, Leclerc, Lidl and Franprix

Nestlé agrees to compensate French victims of deadly pizza scandal

The agreement comes after two children died and dozens fell seriously ill after eating contaminated pizza last year

Rice packets recalled in France over traces of banned pesticide

The product has been sold in nearly all major supermarkets across the country and has an expiry date of 2025

‘Best before’ food labels are changing in France to reduce waste

We look at the different labels used and storage recommendations in France

French supermarkets recall sausages due to metal risk

People who have bought the sausages – in supermarkets including Auchan, Leclerc, Intermarché and Super U – should not eat them, and can request a refund

Chestnuts vs conkers: Know the difference when out gathering in France

The food safety agency has issued a warning saying confusion is common and can lead to accidental poisoning

French supermarkets recall cheese containing undeclared allergens

The Bethmale cheese was labelled incorrectly, and may not be suitable for people with an allergy to eggs

Supermarket yoghurts recalled in France over E. coli risk

The Malo brand affected includes the flavours plain, sweetened, grenadine and raspberry

New food cheque should only cover healthy products, say French MPs

Parliamentarians affiliated with President Macron have called for the government aid to focus on ‘non-carcinogenic’ items only

Lidl baguettes recalled in France due to potential metal content risk

Anyone who recently bought a baguette céréales rustique should throw it away or return it to the shop

France bans imports of meat produced with antibiotic growth promoters

The practice contributes to antibiotic resistance, which could lead to dangerous infections. It is already banned in the EU but not in the UK or many other countries

Did you know? First system for canning food was invented by French man

Nicolas Appert dethroned previous methods of food preservation with the breakthrough in 1795. It was later discovered that this new invention also eradicated bacteria

Volvic bottles recalled by French supermarkets over vinegar smell

This applies to bottles sold between December 21 and January 4 in Casino, Intermarché and other supermarkets

Recall in France over supermarket smoked salmon due to listeria risk

The alert applies to four-slice packs of Labeyrie salmon which is sold in stores throughout the country

New product recalls in France: Sausages, cakes, mineral supplements

The products have been recalled due to possible health risks or incorrect labelling

Toxic mushroom linked to high rates of nerve disease in south France

Researchers have found that the ‘false morel’ is linked to diagnoses of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in Savoie at more than 20 times higher than the national average

French supermarkets recall packets of ham due to risk of listeria

Packs of Herta brand sliced cooked meat are being taken off the shelves, as customers alerted to potential dangers and symptoms of infection

Wild mushrooms in France: Three deaths, 330 poisonings this year

Health authorities warn foragers to check their haul with pharmacists rather than try to use smartphone apps to identify types

Concern over levels of heavy metal in 97% of people tested in France

Study finds substances such as arsenic and mercury consumed via contaminated food are at higher levels than in other countries in Europe and North America

French supermarkets recall 1,000 tonnes of sugar due to pesticide risk

Some fine-granulated cooking sugars have been found to contain levels of ethylene oxide higher than the legal limit

Ice cream, biscuits, spices... why France is recalling 7,400 foods

The products are sold in leading supermarkets and contain higher than authorised doses of ethylene oxide, a chemical used to treat food against bacteria and classed as a carcinogen

Supermarket ice creams recalled in France over 'toxic substance' fears

Urgent recall affects more than 60 products sold under Auchan, Carrefour, Netto, Picard and Extrême brands

French supermarkets recall pasta, rice, prawns and couscous products

Customers told not to eat the foods which were sold in Intermarché, Carrefour, Casino and Super U supermarkets

French supermarket recalls beef steaks with wrong expiry date

Packaging dates were incorrectly extended by a month. It comes as France launches an official website dedicated to listing recalled products for consumers

French supermarket recalls basmati rice over toxins

The precautionary recall concerns 1kg bags of Carrefour’s own-brand basmati rice

French MPs in bid to ban nitrates in ham

The ham in jambon buerre sandwiches in future may have a less pink hue

France recalls dried meats after salmonella scare

People who have bought affected products are advised not to eat them and instead take them back to the original point of sale

France sesame seed product recall list lengthening

Recall issued after high levels of carcinogenic ethylene oxide were discovered in batches of seed

French supermarket issues poultry products recall

Chicken and turkey products sold by Auchan may contain foreign metallic bodies

France issues dietary supplement warning amid Covid crisis

A list of plant-based supplements that could interfere with the body’s immune response against Covid has been issued by health and food safety agency Anses

French companies ‘not threatened’ by Middle East boycott

Calls to boycott French products in the wake of the row over Islamic cartoons are not a threat to French exports, business heads have said

Call to boycott French products in Islamic caricatures row

The calls are spreading on social media following President Macron's speech at the memorial ceremony in honour of slain teacher Samuel Paty

Insecticide harmful to bees temporarily allowed in France

Neonicotinoids have been approved for three years to be used in growing sugar beet despite having previously been banned, mainly due to evidence that they are toxic for bees

Six tasty autumn mushrooms you can find in French forests

September and October are mushroom season in France. We explain which delicious fungi you can pick and eat, and how to do so safely.

France fines charcuterie industry €93m for price fixing

France has issued a fine of €93 million in total to 12 French “ham cartel” groups that have been found guilty of price fixing their charcuterie products in supermarkets, and working together to buy cheaper cuts.

New French study finds 32 toxic pesticides in the air

A new study into pesticides found in the air in France has identified 75 different substances, including 32 deemed to be “a priority [to investigate]” due to their potential toxicity and links to cancer and endocrine conditions.

French cheese ‘fine to eat after best before date’

The makers of popular French soft cheese La Vache Qui Rit (The Laughing Cow) are aiming to tackle the problem of food waste by reminding consumers that their product may be fine to eat even after its “best before date” has passed.

France outraged as burger chain launches the ‘Croissan’wich’

France has reacted with online outrage and mirth after fast food chain Burger King launched a new croissant burger dubbed the “Croissan’wich”, which replaces the usual burger bun with a sliced croissant.

Mince meat from Auchan and Lidl recalled in France

Check your fridges and freezers: Batches of minced meat sold at the supermarkets Auchan and Lidl have been recalled in France due to a possible risk of metal filaments being mixed up in the meat.

Protective domes to help French restaurants reopen?

French designer’s Plexiglas domes to protect diners were on display in one Paris restaurant this week.

France's cheese controversy: raw or pasteurised?

As a nation renowned for its love of cheese, France is in a pickle over one of its favourite products, as Lee McLaughlan reports.

Food producers sign pledge on ‘best before’ dates

French abattoir Covid outbreak: ‘No risk to consumers’

Health authorities and specialists have sought to reassure the public that there is no danger to consumers after outbreaks of Covid-19 were identified among staff at some of France’s largest abattoirs.

500,000 eggs recalled in France over salmonella fear

Recalled eggs have been sold by a number of supermarket chains

French brewers forced to destroy 10m litres of beer

French brewers will be forced to destroy at least 10 million litres of spoiled beer as a result of bars and restaurants being closed during two months of Covid-19 confinement.

Fruit, veg and Covid-19: France issues safety advice

Advice has been issued in France on how to safely eat fresh fruits and vegetables during the Covid-19 crisis, answering key questions on how to prepare, eat, and clean fresh food. We translate.

Tomato fear as high-risk virus found in Brittany

Gardeners are being warned to be aware of a high-risk and fast-spreading virus affecting tomatoes, peppers and chillies that could devastate all production.

France doubles free school breakfasts and €1 meals

Free school breakfasts and canteen lunches costing just €1 are to be rolled out to 200,000 pupils across France this year, almost double the number who received them last year, the government has said.

French eco group calls to ‘cancel’ crop spread rule

A French environmental association is calling for the cancellation of the government’s recent decree to set a minimum buffer zone of 5-20 metres between pesticide spreading and inhabited buildings.

Charcuterie recalled in France over listeria fears

Charcuterie from French supermarket chains Carrefour, Auchan and Casino has been recalled over fears it may be contaminated with listeria.

Pumpkin soup packs recalled in France

Batches of pumpkin soup are being recalled in France due to “a lack of sterile conditions”, it has been confirmed.

France warned over poisonous autumnal vegetables

Fans of cooking with pumpkin and autumnal squash in France are being warned to watch out for vegetables that look similar in appearance, but are actually poisonous.

Organic food becoming more accessible in France

Organic food shops are no longer the preserve of affluent Paris suburbs, and are becoming a more accessible and cost-effective option across much of France, a new report has said.

Frozen burgers recalled over E.coli fears

Customers urged to return affected burgers to the store from where they were bought

Tests on farm food near Rouen plant fire 'reassuring'

Analysis on further samples could clear way for harvests to take place

Woman paralysed by out-of-date soup

Eating soup three weeks out of date has left an Essonne woman paralysed with botulism poisoning.

Boy, 10, dies 8 years after e-coli illness

A boy of 10 has died eight years after being poisoned by an e-coli-contaminated burger that left him paralysed and mentally handicapped.

French group Carrefour recalls ham after listeria risk

Packets of ham have been recalled from French supermarket Carrefour over fears there may be a risk of listeria contamination.

French senate allows food shoppers to use own boxes

The French senate has voted to allow consumers to use their own packaging and containers when shopping for food, or buying food and drink “to go”.

French mayor admits bread and water lunch ‘awkward’

A mayor in France has admitted that his much-criticised decision to give only bread and water to two school children, whose parents had not paid their school canteen bills for a year, was “awkward”.

French department 'bans' use of glyphosate herbicide

Decree issued a day after MPs began a consultation on whether to impose mandatory zones of up to 10m between treated fields and private residences

At-home gluten intolerance test now on sale in France

People living in France who suspect they may be intolerant to gluten can now take an at-home test that is said to be 98.8% reliable.

French Roquefort cheese recalled over salmonella fears

Batches of Roquefort cheese from the French brand Société have been recalled this weekend after fears of salmonella contamination.