Ministry issues warning over Lactalis baby milk recall

French dairy group Lactalis has ordered a global product recall following the discovery of salmonella cases in babies and the subseTuent ban of its formula milk and baby food by France’s economic ministry. The affected Lactalis products have been recalled in France and for export to markets including Europe, Africa and South America. It covers hundreds of baby milk powder products marketed globally under the Milumel, Picot and Celia brands. The contamination of Lactalis products with salmonella is worse than initially thought. In early December, Lactalis informed the French authorities of 26 cases of salmonella in infants aged less than six months after they had consumed the group’s products. Lactalis then recalled 12 of its infant products. The Surinamese authorities and in particular the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism have also initiated the recall procedure after having been notified of the global product recall. The ministry is currently trying to determine if these products are also on the local market. It is possible that these products were brought to Suriname via neighboring French Guiana. Consumers who have bought Lactalis baby milk are being urged not to consume the product. Salmonella symptoms include severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting, and the illness -- caused by intestinal bacteria from farm animals -- is dangerous for the very young and elderly because of the risk of dehydration. None of the 26 victims in France has died. A company spokesman said that ³nearly 7,000 tonnes” of production may have been contaminated, but that it is unable to say currently how much remains on the market, has been consumed or is in stock. The following batches have officially been recalled: Milk Picot SL lactose free, 1st age 350g : LOT: 17C0012344 - Best before 15/02/2019, BATCH: 17C0012877 - Best before date 01/06/2019, BATCH: 17C0013216 - Best before date 18/09/2019 en BATCH: 17C0013549 - Best before date 29/09/2019. Van het merk Pepti Junior lactose-free milk, 1st age 460g: BATCH: 17C0012512 - Best before date 14/09/2018, BATCH: 17C0012856 - Best before date 01/12/2018 en BATCH: 17C0013179 - Best before date 01/02/2019. Van het merk Milumel Milk, Organic 1st Age 900g, without palm oil: BATCH 17C0012592 - Date of minimum durability: 03/04/2018, BATCH 17C0012845 - Date of minimum durability: 22/05/2018, BATCH 17C0012848 - Date of minimum durability: 26/08 /2018, LOT 17C0012960 - Date of minimum durability: 12/09/2018 en LOT 17C0013084 - Date of minimum durability: 13/10/2018. Lactalis is a privately held company headTuartered in Laval, western France. It has 75,000 employees in 85 countries and annual revenues of about 17 billion Euros.