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Lactalis recalls baby formula after salmonella discovery

By Ed Adamczyk
French company Lactalis agreed to a ban on infant milk formula and a recall of its products after 26 cases of salmonella bacteria were reported in 26 infants this month. Image courtesy LNS Group
French company Lactalis agreed to a ban on infant milk formula and a recall of its products after 26 cases of salmonella bacteria were reported in 26 infants this month. Image courtesy LNS Group

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- French authorities have ordered a recall of baby formula milk and baby food products made by French dairy company Lactalis after discovery of salmonella.

The French Ministry of Solidarity and Health also ordered a ban on the sale of the products until the matter is resolved.

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Lactalis Nutrition Sante Group agreed to the ban and a recall of millions of its products around the world -- where it operates in 85 countries and employs 75,000 people.

The recalled and banned products were sold under the names Picot SL, Pepti Junior 1, Milumel Bio 1 and Picot Riz. Markets in Greece, Morocco, Sudan, Peru, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China are affected.

Lactalis spokesman Michel Nalet said products made since February will be recalled. He added that the company has not received information about any salmonella infection outside of France.

Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps, and poses a dehydration risk. It is typically caused by intestinal bacteria in farm animals.

The recall follows the salmonella infection of 20 infants in France this month, followed by identification of a salmonella agona bacterial infection of five more infants this week. It prompted a limited recall of 12 Lactalis products and the possible contamination of 7,000 tons of products. All the babies infected have survived.

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In the United States Lactalis owns companies that make cheese under the brands Président, Sorrento, Precious, Rondelé and Galbani. None of the U.S.-based divisions are involved in the recall.

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