Lactalis Baby Formula Recall Issued Outside U.S., After Dozens of Infant Salmonella Cases

The French company Lactalis has announced worldwide recall that impacts about 7,000 metric tons of baby milk products, after more than two dozen infants became ill from salmonella food poisoning. 

The Lactalis baby milk formula recall was announced by French authorities and Lactalis on December 10, following at least 26 reports of illnesses. The recall affects products marketed worldwide under the brand names Milumel, Picot and Celi, but it does not appear any of the baby formula was distributed in the U.S.

According to France’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, officials began to identify an unusually high number of cases of Salmonella Agona involving children under six months old earlier this month. An investigation linked the cases to the consumption of products from Lactalis.

French investigators said that all of the children reportedly affected by the food poisoning are doing well.

The manufacturers suspect that the problem occurred in a tower used to dry the milk into powder in May. Lactalis officials have indicated that disinfection and cleaning measures have been enacted at the site.

Neither the company nor French investigators have put out a complete list of affected products, but indicate that the recall affects products produced since February 15, 2017 and indicate that the recall affects several million products. Illnesses to date have been linked to Picot SL, Pepti Junior 1, Milumel Bio 1, and Picot Riz.

Countries suspected of receiving the potentially contaminated products include Bangladesh, Britain, China, Columbia, Greece, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru and Sudan. None of the recalled products are believed to have been distributed in the U.S.

Salmonella is a foodborne bacterium that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe symptoms. For most healthy adults, problems associated with food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria. If not properly treated, some cases of salmonella food poisoning can lead to hospitalization, dehydration or death.