French dairy giant Lactalis recalls products over salmonella fears

PARIS - French dairy giant Lactalis announced Sunday a global recall of several baby formula milk and baby food products, for fear of salmonella contamination, following cases of children falling ill in France.

The major recall involves brands such as Milumel, Picot and Celi, and will affect consumers in China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Colombia and Peru, according to information released by French consumer protection agency DGCCRF.

Lactalis, one of the world's biggest dairy producers, said that "nearly 7,000 tons of products" may have been contaminated but it is currently unable to decide the amount that is still on the market, or in stock.

The company has taken precautionary measures to disinfect facilities at a plant in northwest France, believed to be the source of the salmonella contamination, company spokesman Michel Nalet told media.

Sunday's announcement came in the wake of 26 cases of salmonella infection of small children in France during early December, which had already prompted a limited recall of 12 Lactalis products.

A typical symptom of salmonella infection is diarrhoea. The bacteria is especially dangerous for infants and the elderly due to risks of dehydration.

All the 26 children who had fallen ill in France with links to Lactalis products have since recovered, health authorities said.