49 people were poisoned, including five children, by batches of buckwheat flour contaminated with datura, a plant that affects the nervous system, announced the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Brittany this Friday, May 3, on BFMTV.
“The ARS Brittany received 11 reports between April 15 and 29, 2024: 49 people were poisoned, including 5 children,” explains the ARS, specifying that “two people were hospitalized” with “a favorable evolution” and “three with a trip to the emergency room for a few hours for follow-up.”
Hallucinations, confusion…
Most cases have been reported in Ille-et-Vilaine, but cases have also been recorded in Morbihan and Côtes d’Armor. At BFMTV, the ARS specifies that an investigation was carried out in conjunction with the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection, which led to the withdrawal of these lots.
The authorities announced on Wednesday, May 1, the withdrawal of these batches of organic flour, which refer to “all batches of organic buckwheat flour of the JP Cloteau brand whose expiration date (“preferably consume before”) is between October 2024 and March 2025 inclusive”. the Ministries of Health and Agriculture said in a joint press release.
“Datura is a very common herbaceous plant, found in fields and that naturally contains very high levels of tropane alkaloids,” the authorities add.
“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 the following: dry mouth, dilated pupils, vision alterations, tachycardia, agitation, confusion , spatiality. -temporal disorientation, hallucinations, incoherent speech, balance disorders,” details the press release.
Authorities ask people who have affected products not to consume them and possibly return them to the point of sale for destruction.
Source: BFM TV
