Star Metro - France's Lactalis recalls baby formula over toxin

Lactalis "is proceeding with a voluntary recall of six batches of Picot infant milk, available in pharmacies and mass retail, due to the presence of cereulide in an ingredient supplied by a supplier," it said, referring to the toxin that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Lactalis did not name the supplier behind the tainted ingredient.

It published a list of six lot numbers, but stressed that all other batches were safe.

"We are fully aware that this information may cause concern among parents of young children," it said. But French authorities had not signalled to them "any claim nor any report related to the consumption of these products".

Outside France, countries concerned included Australia, Chile, China, Colombia, the Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Peru, Georgia, Greece, Kuwait, the Czech Republic and Taiwan, a spokesperson told AFP.

In all these countries it was just a recall of "a few batches", they said.

The infant formula industry has been rocked by recalls in recent weeks.

Singapore authorities on Saturday recalled Dumex baby formula, a brand owned by French food giant Danone.

Danone said the authorities blocked just "a few pallets" of Dumex, indicating they were not yet on any store shelves.

The move comes after Nestle also called back batches of infant milk in several European countries on January 6.

Nestle France said it was carrying out a "preventive and voluntary recall" of certain batches of its Guigoz and Nidal infant formulas after new investigations showed the potential presence of cereulide.

French health authorities said Tuesday an investigation was underway after the death of a baby who had consumed milk from one of the batches recalled by Nestle, though no link has been established between its consumption and the death at this stage.

O.Ouellet--SMC