Lactalis’s Salmonella Scare: 12 Million Baby‑Milk Boxes Gone Wild
What’s the Deal?
- French dairy giant Lactalis has pulled more than 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk from shelves in 83 countries.
- Salmonella went hide‑and‑seek in a factory that made the powder. The hidden bacterium later caused a storm of illness and lawsuits.
- Because Les Inconnu (the company’s founder’s secretive family) kept a tight lid on the news, it took months for this saga to hit the headlines.
Inside the Company’s Confession
When Emmanuel Besnier finally spoke up in a Sunday interview with a French tabloid, he was quiet like a cat that’s found a front‑door toaster. He made it clear that the recall isn’t just a “planned” move but a massive storm:
- “We have to keep in mind the sheer scale – over 12 million boxes are affected,” he said.
- Distributors will no longer garbage‑hunt for the bad powder. They’ll know straight away that a company-wide purge is happening.
- “Everything will be taken off the shelves,” Besnier added, sounding like a supermarket manager on break‑time duty.
Only the “Bottom Line” Is in Play
Besnier was called to the French Finance Ministry that Friday. The CEO promised full compensation for every family that fell victim. He has a one‑handed approach: stays at the forefront of babies’ health concerns and paints a picture of calm for concerned parents.
Legal Fireworks
- Hundreds of lawsuits are already inked, with parents claiming their kids got salmonella from the powdered milk.
- French authorities count 35 “infant” cases, plus one in Spain and a pending investigation in Greece.
- The rights group says the real number may be way larger, hoping authorities will put this on the radar.
Warning Signers & The Sob Story
Before the plant in Craon (northwest France) made its list of turns, state inspectors in September gave it zero snags. That clean bill was a major misstep, especially as Lactalis’ own tests found Salmonella months later.
While the company argues it isn’t legally bound to spill that contamination to the authorities, the question remains if the company followed the finest grain of industry honesty.
Remember the Giants?
Lactalis, born in 1933 by a grandfather named Besnier, smashed its way into the dairy world with €17 billion in annual sales, sporting household names like Galbani ricotta in Italy, President butter, and Societe roquefort. In the nursery, two beloved brands—Picot and Milumel—have recently been at the center of a worldwide recall after dozens of little ones fell ill.
Takeaway for Your Stomach
So if you are tossing a pantry closet full of baby nutrition at your doorstep, check the serial numbers, be cautious, and keep an eye on the news that says: “Don’t just let your kids have that creamy broth. Check that it’s safe.”
