Baby Milk Formula:
Global Recall Of Baby Milk Formula Over Salmonella Fears.
December 11, 2017
Photo: Bob Edme, AP
French baby milk formula maker, Lactalis has ordered a worldwide product recall over fears of salmonella contamination.
The French company, one of the world’s largest dairy groups said it was warned by health authorities in France that 26 infants under six months of age have become sick since early December and had been diagnosed with Salmonella infection. The recall covers hundreds of baby milk powder products marketed globally under the Milumel, Picot, and Celi brands.
Lactalis said in a statement through his spokesperson Michel Nalet that the “precautionary” recall involves “several million” products made since mid-February and believes the salmonella outbreak can be traced to a tower used to dry out the milk powder at its factory in the town of Craon in northwest France.
According to Agence France-Presse AFP, the company is unable to say currently how much of the products remain on the market, have been consumed, or are in stock.
The company said it is “sincerely sorry for the concern generated by the situation and expresses its compassion and support to the families whose children fell ill.” It also said precautionary measures have been taken to disinfect all of its machinery at the suspected site in western France.
The symptoms of salmonella infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever, and vomiting.
Most people recover without treatment, but the very young, as well as the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, have a greater risk of becoming severely ill and the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening.
The United States, a major market for Lactalis, is not affected, according to information published on the French health ministry’s website. However, the recall affects products and exports to countries including Britain, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sudan.
If your country is affected, you are expected to stop using the product immediately.
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