A new reminder Scallop affects the whole of France, at the heart of the season where these shellfish are often found on tables. Batches of fresh shells were urgently withdrawn from the market, with a risk linked to several families of marine biotoxins still poorly known to the general public.
The product in question was marketed over a short period but via numerous fishmongers and wholesalers, which greatly increases the number of households potentially affected. The alert targets shells from a fishing zone which was not monitored at the time of harvest: a key point for understanding the authorities’ decision.
Scallop recall: batches, dates and points of sale concerned
The recall concerns fresh scallops sold in 30 kg boxes, with no apparent mark for the consumer, bearing the health mark BE-VZ63G-EG. Two batches are concerned: BEL030631987SCE27.7WHL20260208 And
BEL030631987SCE27.7WHL20260209marketed on February 9 and 10, 2026 throughout France.
These shells circulated through several wholesalers and fishmongers, before arriving at restaurateurs or individuals. To check if you are concerned, you must look at the label or delivery note from your fishmonger: batch number, date of sale and health mark must appear there. If in doubt, it is best to ask the seller directly.
Unmonitored area and marine biotoxins: what is being blamed for these batches
The official reason is clear: these products come from a fishing area which was not monitored by the French health authorities at the time of harvest, and the batches were not subject to self-inspections to verify their health quality. Usually, regular sampling of water, algae and shellfish allows the level of toxins to be monitored and an area to be closed if thresholds are exceeded.
In this case, the absence of monitoring requires considering a risk linked to three families of marine biotoxins ASP, DSP, PSP. ASP (amnestic) toxins can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, then dizziness, headaches, disorientation and loss of recent memory between 2 and 24 hours after a meal. DSP (diarrheal) toxins cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache and moderate fever within 2 to 18 hours. PSP (paralyzing) toxins sometimes cause numbness of the lips within the first half hour which can spread to the face, arms and legs, with dizziness, nausea, coordination and speech problems. These toxins are described as heat stable: cooking or freezing does not destroy them.
What to do if you have purchased or already consumed these scallops?
The official instructions are simple: no longer consume these batches, do not attempt to “save” them by cooking, freezing or processing them, and destroy the product. The point of sale can inform you of the compensation arrangements provided. A dedicated number is made available to consumers: 06 70 52 72 14. The recall procedure is announced until Friday February 27, 2026.
If you have already eaten these shells, you should monitor your condition in the following hours. The rapid appearance of numbness, dizziness or speech problems, or severe diarrhea, repeated vomiting, intense abdominal pain, should lead to contacting a doctor, a poison control center or the SAMU, especially for children, pregnant women, elderly or fragile people.