Twenty children under the age of six months have been victims of salmonella contamination, the Directorate General of Health in a press release. These 20 cases have been identified since August in eight different regions. The health authorities automatically recalled and withdrawn the batches of infant milksmarketed under three different brands, which represents a total of 200,000 boxes of infant formula for 1st age.
According to the initial results of the survey conducted by Public Health France, in conjunction with the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), the 13 children whose families were interviewed for this day all consumed infant milk 1st age “resulting from productions developed between mid-July and the end of November on the same production site of the LNS group (Lactalis)” according to the Ministry of Health.
A toll-free number 0800 120 120 (open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) has been made available by Lactalis to answer parents’ questions.
The 12 lots affected by this possible contamination and identified to date are as follows:
• Picot SL lactose-free milk, 1st age 350g:
LOT: 17C0012344 – Best before 15/02/2019
LOT: 17C0012877 – DLUO 01/06/2019
LOT: 17C0013216 – DLUO 09/18/2019
LOT: 17C0013549 – DLUO 09/29/2019
• Pepti Junior lactose free milk, 1st age 460g:
LOT: 17C0012512 – Best before 14/09/2018
LOT: 17C0012856 – DLUO 01/12/2018
LOT: 17C0013179 – DLUO 01/02/2019
• Milumel milk, Organic 1st age 900g, palm oil free:
LOT 17C0012592 – Date of minimum durability: 03/04/2018
LOT 17C0012845 – Date of minimum durability: 05/22/2018
LOT 17C0012848 – Date of minimum durability: 08/26/2018
LOT 17C0012960 – Date of minimum durability: 12/09/2018
LOT 17C0013084 – Date of minimum durability: 13/10/2018
The boxes of these lots should not be used, whether new or already started, warn the health authorities. However, milk cans of these brands not affected by the recall can be consumed.
Parents who have boxes from these lots should contact their pediatrician or doctor for occasional advice on replacement milk, especially for babies allergic to milk proteins. “In the meantime, they can go to a pharmacy where a replacement milk will be offered to them” points out the Department of Health.
The French Pediatric Society (SFP) has issued emergency recommendations on emergency replacement milk for parents. They are searchable on the SFP website.
Recognize the signs of salmonella contamination
Salmonella agona infections occur within 3 days of ingestion and cause various symptoms similar to gastroenteritis, recalls the Directorate of Health, with vomiting, sometimes bloody diarrhea, and feverish in the majority of cases. The appearance of these signs in an infant should lead families to consult a doctor.
Read also:
Food poisoning: recognizing and treating it
Infant milk: the questions you are asking yourself
