Lactalis Gets the Green Light to Reopen Its Baby Milk Factory
The French government has finally cleared the dairy giant Lactalis to resume selling infant formula after a Salmonella scare that left dozens of babies sick. In a statement on Tuesday, the Agriculture Ministry announced that all safety conditions have now been satisfied.
What Went Wrong?
- In July, labs found Salmonella in the factory’s infant milk line.
- Lactalis was forced to pull 12 million tins of formula out of stores across France and around the world.
- The scandal dealt a hard blow to France’s reputation as a clean and reliable food producer.
Steps Toward a Safer Future
- For more than three months, the plant in Craon has been subjected to extensive testing overseen by French health authorities.
- Regular, unannounced inspections will continue to monitor the facility’s compliance.
- Lactalis announced that the original production line will be permanently shut down, while a new line will start up once the authorities grant permission.
Business Moves Ahead of the Scandal
- Just days before the approval, Lactalis struck a deal to acquire South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare infant‑formula division for 12.9 billion rand (about US$1.1 billion).
- The purchase is part of the company’s plan to rebuild its baby‑milk brand and regain consumer trust.
Public Response
- Foodwatch, a non‑profit that represented a victim’s family in court, slammed the reopening as “hasty and unacceptable.”
- Although lactalis reported that looping the plant back into production could cost the company “hundreds of millions” in euros, the company is still waiting for the final go‑ahead.
Despite being a privately owned firm, Lactalis has struggled to answer questions this week. The future of infant formula will depend on whether the new process meets the stringent standards imposed by French regulators.
