Diarrhea, vomiting, fever: since spring 2026, French health authorities have recorded 81 cases
of
salmonellosis linked to the same bacteria. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, investigations of Public health France and of
National Reference Center (NRC) for Salmonella
of thePasteur Institute point out pumpkin seeds transformed into the
Lot-et-Garonnemainly sold in stores Big Fee.
Several regions affected by the same strain
On their website, the ministries indicate that “Public Health France in conjunction with the National Reference Center (CNR) for Salmonella at the Pasteur Institute has identified a genomic grouping of Salmonella Enteritidis
involving to date 81 cases having been infected by the same strain”. The strains were isolated between May 3 and August 12, 2026 from sick people, in several French regions. This alert targets everyday products, often associated with a healthy diet, which reinforces the concern and the need for simple actions to protect oneself.
Salmonellosis: 81 confirmed cases and a recall centered on Grand Frais
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the joint investigations “point towards contamination by pumpkin seeds coming from a processor located in Lot-et-Garonne (47), distributed mainly in the store network of the Grand Frais brand“. The same press release specifies that “Stores specializing in organic agricultural products are not affected.”
The Ministry of Health indicates that “Among the patients interviewed, 6 were hospitalized and 2 consulted the emergency room for their infection. All experienced a favorable evolution of their symptoms and returned home“. This grouping therefore remains limited, but it requires increased vigilance.
What pumpkin seed products are recalled at Grand Frais and elsewhere?
After an inspection of the DDPP of Lot-et-Garonnethe transformer triggered a
withdrawal-recall without waiting for the end of the investigation. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, “traceability elements show distribution to several supermarket brands including mainly stores of the Grand Frais brand“. The fact sheets already published on
ReminderConso cite in particular the distributor Agidra, mixtures “sports mixture”, “Babylone mixture” or “summer salad special”, and seeds sold in bulk or in sachets.
The list of products recalled by Grand Frais appears in the list accessible via the following links on the RappelConso website
- https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/fiche-rappel/23359/Interne
- https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/fiche-rappel/23360/Interne
For consumers, the reflex to adopt is simple: check your cupboards if you have recently purchased
pumpkin seeds or mixtures containing these seeds at Grand Frais, METRO or other supermarkets. The Ministry of Health recommends:If you have this product, do not consume it and throw it away. If you wish, you can return it to the point of sale“.
Salmonellosis and pumpkin seeds: symptoms, timing and when to consult
Food infections caused by Salmonella Enteritidis mainly cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headaches. The Ministry of Health specifies that these disorders occur “generally in
6 to 72 hours following consumption of a contaminated product”. Symptoms are more severe in young children, pregnant women, the elderly or immunocompromised people.
The authorities add that “People who have consumed this product and who present these symptoms are invited to consult their doctor and report this consumption. In case of emergency, call 15“.”If there are no symptoms within 7 days after consuming the product concerned, there is no need to worry and consult a doctor“.