ALERT: Global Recall Of Millions Of Lactalis Baby Milk Products

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Baby milk formula manufacturer Lactalis has called for the worldwide product recall over fears of salmonella contamination.

Authorities in France said that 26 infants in the country have become sick since early December.

The recall  covers millions of baby milk powder products marketed globally under the Milumel, Picot and Celi brands.

The recall has an effect on customers in Britain, Greece, Morocco, Sudan, Peru, Colombia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.

The US, who’s a major market for Lactalis, is reportedly not affected, according to information published on the French health ministry’s website.

The symptoms of salmonella infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea as well as fever.

Most people recover without treatment, however young kids, as well as the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, have a greater risk of becoming severely ill.

Hospital care will  then be necessary because the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening.

Company spokesman Michel Nalet told The Associated Press that the ‘precautionary’ recall affects ‘several million’ products made since mid-February.

Lactalis said that the 26 cases of infection were linked to products branded Picot SL, Pepti Junior 1, Milumel Bio 1 and Picot Riz.

The company said that it is ‘sincerely sorry for the concern generated by the situation and expresses its compassion and support to the families whose children fell ill’.

The company mentioned that a possible source of the outbreak has been identified in a tower used to dry out the milk at a production site in May.

Additional disinfection and cleaning measures have been put in place at the suspected site in western France.

The health scare began earlier this month when Lactalis was informed that 20 infants under six months of age had been diagnosed with salmonella infection.

The company ordered an initial recall that has now been extended to more products at the request of French authorities following new cases of infections.

Lactalis, one of the largest dairy groups in the world, is headquartered in Laval, western France. The company has 75,000 employees in 85 countries and annual revenues of about 17 billion euros ($20 billion).

Its other notable brands include President and Galbani cheeses as well as Parmalat milk.