PARIS • French baby-milk maker Lactalis yesterday ordered a massive recall of the products of one of its factories over fears of possible contamination with salmonella, the second such move in as many weeks.
The recall affected all of the factory's production from as early as February. Lactalis, one of the world's top dairy producers, already recalled around 7,000 tonnes of infant formula milk two weeks ago.
But in what it described as "a precautionary measure" yesterday, 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-west 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 Feb 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 Dec 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 now know that there has been a low-level dispersed contamination within Craon factory, due to work during the first 2017 semester," it explained.
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720 Batches of products sold in France and overseas that were affected by the latest recall.
625 Batches of products that were affected by the initial recall on Dec 10.
The Craon site was shut down on Dec 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 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 Mr 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," said Mr Moreau.
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.
Privately held Lactalis is one of the world's largest dairy companies, reporting annual sales of around €17 billion (S$27 billion). It has been expanding its infant nutrition activity although its biggest categories are cheese and liquid milk.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
