French salmonella baby milk scandal ‘affects 83 countries’

More than 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk have now been recalled in 83 countries in a salmonella scandal involving French company Lactalis, reports BBC.

The dairy firm’s CEO, Emmanuel Besnier, confirmed the extent of the contamination risk to French media.

The products have been subject to a recall since December, after salmonella bacteria was discovered at a factory.

Lawsuits have been filed by parents who say their children became unwell after drinking the formula.

A spokesman told the BBC that all the countries affected had been informed, in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. The UK, US and Australia were not affected, he added.

The Lactalis group is one of the world’s largest producers of dairy products, with annual sales of €17bn ($21bn; £15bn), It has 246 production sites in 47 countries and employs 15,000 people in France alone.

Recalls have now been issued by the firm three times, and cover its Picot, Milumel and Taranis brands.