Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Sunday, January 14, 2018

French salmonella baby milk scandal 'affects 83 countries'


January 14, 2018  11H:45  GMT/UTC/ZULU TIME
A warning sign is posted in a supermarket in baby milk aisleImage copyrightAFP
Image captionThe recall was issued in December and French retailers have been threatened with legal action if they sell it
by Elodie Bagnol and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Paris
More than 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk in 83 countries have now been recalled because of a salmonella scandal involving French dairy company Lactalis.
The firm's CEO confirmed the extent of the contamination risk to French media.
The products have been subject to a recall since December, after salmonella bacteria was discovered at a factory.
Lawsuits have been filed by parents who say their children became unwell after drinking the formula.
The Lactalis group is one of the world's largest producers of dairy products, with annual sales of €17bn ($21bn; £15bn),
Recalls have now been issued by the firm three times, and cover a range of products sold under brands owned by the group.
Lactalis products painted on a wall at the company's headquartersImage copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image captionThe Lactalis group employs 75,000 people around the world, according to its website
Salmonella can cause severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe dehydration. It can be life-threatening, especially in young children.
So far 35 cases have been reported in France and another one has been confirmed in Spain.
Another possible case is being investigated in Greece, French authorities said on Friday.
"There are complaints and there will be an investigation with which we will fully collaborate," Emmanuel Besnier told Journal du Dimanche.
He also promised the company would compensate any families affected.
External photograph of Celia factory where outbreak has been traced back to.Image copyrightAFP
Image captionFrench media reported that state inspectors cleared the site as safe during an inspection in September
The company has said they believe the contamination was caused by renovation work at their Celia factory in Craon, in north-west France.
France's agriculture minister said products from the factory will be banned indefinitely whilst the investigation is still ongoing.
The French government has warned the company it must expect penalties over its handling of the affair.
They also threatened to impose sanctions against retailers on Thursday, after it emerged several major supermarket chains had continued to sell products that could have been contaminated.

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