It was one month ago that we reported about the Lactalis infant formula recall, affecting a dozen countries and mainly the Lactalis brands Milumel and Picot. Today, the actual magnitude of the Salmonella Agona related recall became apparent. According to a statement of Lactalis CEO Emmanuel Besnier, 12 million boxes of infant formula in 83 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa have been recalled. Beyond the already mentioned two brands of Milumel and Picot which were already mentioned in our article from December 10, we learned that also the Taranis brand of Lactalis is affected.
Several lawsuits from parents who say their children got sick after consumption of the infant formula are pending. So far, 35 cases in France and Spain have been confirmed.
Emmanuel Besnier, who is not often seen speaking to the media, and nicknamed the ‘invisible man’, gave an exclusive interview to Journal du Dimanche. He promised compensation to those families whose children became ill due to the consumption of Lactalis products and denied that his company attempted to hide the salmonella contamination.
According to Michel-Edouard Leclerc, chairman of the Leclerc supermarket group, who voiced his opinion earlier, it is the government that has failed the consumers.
