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Agence France-Presse

French baby-milk maker Lactalis on Thursday ordered the recall of all of the production of one of its factories since February over fears of possible contamination with salmonella.
Lactalis, one of the world’s top dairy producers, had already recalled around 7,000 tonnes of infant formula milk two weeks ago.
But in what it described as “a precautionary measure” on Thursday, it had now decided – in consultation with the health authorities – to recall “all infant formula and nutritional products manufactured and conditioned in the Craon factory” in north western France.
“Information received from the health authorities as well as the results of initial investigations carried out … led the group to issue a second recall, this time of all products manufactured since February 15, 2017 using a specific drying tower at the factory,” the statement said.
The latest recall involves 720 batches of products sold in France and overseas, compared with the initial recall of 625 batches on December 10.
It concerned powders and infant cereals of the group’s Picot and Milumel brands, as well as the Taranis powdered amino-acid mix, the company said.
We wish to extend our sincerest apologies to the families affected. We are well aware of the seriousness of the situation
Lactalis statement
“We now know that there has been a low-level dispersed contamination within Craon factory, due to work during the first 2017 semester,” it explained.
The Craon site was shut down on December 8 “for a thorough and comprehensive audit,” it added.
On Monday, the health authorities said that 23 infants had been identified as having drunk formula milk produced at Craon and who had caught salmonellosis.
Around a dozen of the infants had been hospitalised, but had subsequently been discharged and were “doing well”, the authorities said.
The father of one three-month-old baby, who drank the milk, and the UFC Que Choisir consumer association, said on Monday they had filed a complaint against Lactalis.
By recalling all of the factory’s production, Lactalis was applying “the principle of maximum precaution,” said Jehan Moreau, director of the French National Federation of Dairy Industries or FNIL.
“Infant milks are very sensitive products and no risks should be taken. But it’s a terrible decision for them, because it will constitute a huge shortfall,” Moreau said.
Salmonellosis is a food poisoning that ranges from mild gastroenteritis to more serious infections. It is potentially more dangerous for young children, the elderly or weak.
The health ministry asked parents “not to use, where possible”, the products concerned. In the worst case, paediatricians recommend boiling the milk for two minutes. Lactalis has set up a 24-hour helpline for consumers.
“We wish to extend our sincerest apologies to the families affected. We are well aware of the seriousness of the situation and fully understand the anxiety and inconvenience that have been caused,” it said in a statement.
In 2008, a state-owned Chinese dairy products company called Sanlu was destroyed by a scandal over milk powder that had been contaminated with melamine, a toxic chemical used to create the illusion of a higher protein count but which caused kidney stones and other ailments.
An estimated 300,000 Chinese babies were affected, with six dying. Sanlu was declared bankrupt in 2008 and several managers were sent to prison, while two dairy producers were sentenced to death.


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France

‘No risks should be taken’: new recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears

Samples of baby milk formula imported from the French group Lactalis. Photo: AFP

France orders ban of baby milk formula by dairy giant Lactalis, with some products exported to China

This picture taken on December 4, 2017 shows the Celia dairy company's infant milk factory that belongs to the LNS Lactalis group in Craon, western France. France's Health and Food Sagety authorities have withdrawn and recalled several batches of infant milk made in this plant that were contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Photo: AFP

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The latest recall involves 720 batches of products sold in France and overseas and follows an initial recall of 625 batches, or nearly 7,000 tonnes of products, on December 10


Sanlu Group