The authorities announced this Wednesday the recall of batches of organic flour mainly sold in the west of France after cases of poisoning due to the presence of datura, a plant affecting the nervous system. The procedure concerns “all batches of organic buckwheat flour from the JP Cloteau brand whose durability date (“best before”) is between October 2024 and March 2025 inclusive”, specified the Ministries of Health and Agriculture in a joint press release.
Specialty stores
From the same source, these products “could have been purchased in stores specializing in organic farming products, in grocery stores, on local markets or directly from the producer, mainly in the west of France and particularly in the regions Brittany”, in bags but also in bulk.
Cases of poisoning have been noted by the Brittany Regional Health Agency, according to the ministries, which emphasize that “datura is a very common herbaceous plant, which is found in the fields and which naturally contains very strong tropane alkaloid contents.
Effects on the nervous system
“These alkaloids are toxic and have effects on the nervous system. This plant can contaminate certain crops and cause acute poisoning. The symptoms are varied and can be as follows: dry mouth, dilated pupils, disorders vision, tachycardia, agitation, confusion, spatio-temporal disorientation, hallucinations, incoherent speech, balance disorders,” details the press release.
The authorities are calling on people with affected products not to consume them, and to possibly return them to the point of sale for destruction. “People who have consumed or used it in the preparation of pancakes, bread, pancakes, etc. and who present these symptoms in the hours following consumption of the product must contact their doctor or call 15 informing them of this alert”, according to the same source.