Lactalis withdraws 37 more baby products from sale 'as a precaution'

LACTALIS has withdrawn a further 37 baby-food and milk products from the shelves in Spain in addition to the brands taken off the shelves in December – but reports now claim that the only infant in Spain affected by salmonella has recovered and been discharged from hospital, despite earlier information stating he had died.

A month ago, several products which had been manufactured in the Lactalis factory in Craon, France prior to February 15, 2017 were recalled, but now that a case of salmonella has been reported in Spain, several others made after that date have been removed from sale.

They include Puleva Bebé, Damira and Sanutri products, as well as a powdered milk formula designed to aid digestion problems named Taranis Nophenyl, and a nutrition supplement known as Maltodextridine.

Lactalis insists that all remaining Sanutri, Damira and Puleva baby products are 'totally safe', including Sanutri and Damira cereal and biscuits, Sanutri Velactin soya formula milk, and Puleva Peques liquid milk, since these are all produced in Spain and have not been in contact with the virus found in the French factory.

Recently, a baby was said to have died from salmonella in the Basque Country after consuming a free sample of milk given to the mother by his paediatrician, but happily, reports released since confirm the infant survived and has now returned home, where he is said to be getting better.

Food safety authorities traced the child's illness to a virus found in several ranges which had come from the Craon factory.

Lactalis says the 37 products have been taken off the shelves in Spain 'voluntarily', and not because of any problems detected in them, but merely as a precaution and 'in coordination with French and Spanish authorities'.

As at yesterday (Thursday), Lactalis Iberia – the Spanish and Portuguese arm of the company - had already 'blocked and collected' over 550,000 units of baby-food and baby-milk on sale in pharmacies and parapharmacies in Spain.

Parents and retailers who are concerned about whether to use products they have already acquired can call Lactalis Iberia on the free-phone telephone number in Spain, 900 102 336.