Lactalis has recalled one of its infant formulas from the same Spanish manufacturer as Modilac, responsible for 4 cases of salmonella in French babies.
While thehe company Modilac has announced the recall of rice protein-based infant products manufactured in Spain, following the discovery of four cases of salmonella in French babiesLactalis also announced the recall of one of its infant milks from the same supplier as a preventive measure. “The recall concerns 16,300 boxes of Picot AR milk sold exclusively in pharmacies, since November 29, 2018”, specifies the group. “We apply here a maximum precautionary principle and specify (…) that no health alert has been reported on this Picot AR reference and that all controls are compliant”.
“When will this stop?”
Four cases of salmonella –Salmonella poona– have indeed been detected in babies’ stools. “These infants are now better and have all been discharged from hospital. Three other cases are being investigated,” said the Directorate General for Health and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Law Enforcement. fraud (DGCCRF). In total, more than 416,000 boxes representing 19 references are affected by the recall from Modilac. A toll-free number has been set up for more information: 0 800 800 970.
“I have just learned of the withdrawal from sale of Picot AR milk from Lactalis, manufactured on the same site as Modilac milk in Spain. I am left speechless. How far will this go? When will this will it stop?”, reacted Quentin Guillemain, president of theAssociation of Families Victims of Contaminated Milk (AFVLCS)on Twitter.
I just learned of the withdrawal from the sale of milk #PicotAR of #Lactalis produced on the same site as the milk #Modilac in Spain.
I’m left speechless.
How far will this go? When will this stop? #contaminatedmilk #salmonella— Quentin Guillemain (@qguillemain) January 25, 2019
This health scandal follows the massive recall of infant products operated by Lactalis since 2017, following the contamination of 53 infants by the after drinking milk from the Craon factory. Nearly 300 complaints have been filed. After nine months of preliminary investigation, the public health department of the Paris public prosecutor’s office decided to open a judicial investigation against X for “deception on the substantial qualities of the goods”, “involuntary injuries resulting in incapacity for work less than or equal to three months” and “non-performance by a food business operator of procedures for the withdrawal or recall of a product injurious to health”.
The dangers of a salmonella infection
Infection with bacteria of the genus Salmonellosis is manifested by gastroenteritis, sometimes acute, which generally resolves spontaneously within a few days. However, the consequences can be serious in certain sensitive populations, in particular people suffering from malnutrition, suffering from certain diseases (achlorhydria, hypochlorhydria or neoplastic disease), under treatment against gastric acidity, or even under broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.
Finally, in infants as well as in people with a weakened immune system (autoimmune disease, immunosuppressive, immunosuppressive medical treatment, etc.), a salmonella infection can become very serious, even fatal. “We are talking about 53 infected infants, but this figure does not correspond to reality”, explained Quentin Guillemain to us in an interview. “To this must be added all those who have not reacted, all those who have not done an analysis, all those whose parents have not lodged a complaint because it costs money… For me , all infants who have ingested infant formula contaminated with salmonella are victims of Lactalis. We are therefore talking about hundreds of children”.
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