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French salmonella baby milk scandal 'affects 83 countries' | French salmonella baby milk scandal 'affects 83 countries' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
More than 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk have now been recalled in 83 countries in a salmonella scandal involving French company Lactalis. | |
The dairy firm's CEO, Emmanuel Besnier, 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. | 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. | Lawsuits have been filed by parents who say their children became unwell after drinking the formula. |
A spokesman told the BBC that all the countries affected had been informed, in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. The UK, US and Australia were not affected, he added. | |
The Lactalis group is one of the world's largest producers of dairy products, with annual sales of €17bn ($21bn; £15bn), It has 246 production sites in 47 countries and employs 15,000 people in France alone. | |
Recalls have now been issued by the firm three times, and cover its Picot, Milumel and Taranis brands. | |
Salmonella can cause severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe dehydration. It can be life-threatening, especially in young children. | 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. | 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. | Another possible case is being investigated in Greece, French authorities said on Friday. |
In an exclusive interview in French newspaper Journal du Dimanche,, the Lactalis chief executive denied the firm had attempted to hide the outbreak at the plant. | |
"There are complaints and there will be an investigation with which we will fully collaborate," said Mr Besnier. | |
He also promised the company would compensate any families affected. | He also promised the company would compensate any families affected. |
The company has said they believe the contamination was caused by renovation work at their Celia factory in Craon, in north-west France. | 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. | 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. | 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 that several major supermarket chains had continued to sell products that could have been contaminated. |