Salmonella fear spreads in Bahrain

Manama : Lactalis Group has recalled two additional baby milk products from the local market as fears of salmonella contamination created panic in over 30 countries.

The latest recall comes a week after the Ministry of Health (MoH) pulled four batches of baby milk products of the company. The additional products being pulled out of the market are: DELICAL Maltodextridine Poudre d’enrichissement énergétique 350g (expiration date 30.11.2018) and CELIA Expert 3 400g (expiration date 08.06.2019). The products pulled from the market last week were Celia AD 350g, Celia AR 400g, PreCelia 400g and Celia AL/NUT 400g. Responding to a query from DT News, the Lactalis Group confirmed that the products were shipped to Bahrain and will need to be removed.

“Two additional batches will be withdrawn/recall from the Bahraini market. Consumption of the products listed in the appendices must be stopped and replaced by alternative products. This decision has been taken by precaution after the suspicion of salmonella contamination,” it stated. The company stated that the recalled products are all infant and nutritional products manufactured and packed in Craon factory since 2017/02/15.

“All other products manufactured in our other factories are safe and are out of the scope of recall. We wish to extend our sincerest apologies to the concerned families. We are well aware of the seriousness of the situation and fully understand the anxiety and inconvenience that have been caused. No case has been reported in Bahrain,” the company stated.

“Food safety for all our consumers is our highest priority, which is why we are taking such rapid and drastic measures. Once again, we would like to express our most sincere apologize to parents and families, and reassure them that everything is being and will be done to solve the situation,” the company stated. 

Earlier this month, French authorities banned the sale of several baby formula milk and food products by diary giant Lactalis following the discovery of salmonella in babies less than six months old. The recall, follows 20 cases of infection in infants, affected countries include: China, Taiwan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Colombia and Peru.”