Illustrative image (Source: mecuteo.vn)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Last week, Vietnam received a warning on another
99 batches of baby formula products from French-based Lactalis over possible
, two months after the scandal-hit company ordered a
global recall.
Since
December 12, this has been the third notification the Vietnam Food
Administration (under the Ministry of Health) has received from the
International Network of Food Safety Authorities (INFOSAN), bringing the total
number of contaminated products to 33, packed in 153 batches.
The
, Lactalis Group, is one of the biggest food manufacturers in
the world, specialising in the production of dairy and baby formula products.
Lactalis
spokesman, Michel Nalet, said that as much as 7,000 tonnes of formula had been
contaminated, however, the company could not ascertain how much has been sold,
consumed, or still remained in stock worldwide.
The
company spokesman revealed that the issue might result from contamination
taking place at the evaporation stage – which is used to turn the liquid milk
into powder form – at a factory in the town of Craon in northwest
France, according to the Guardian.
Lactalis’
range of Celia products sold in Vietnam include Celia Mama (for expecting
mothers), Celia Expert (divided into three sub-products for infants up to
3-year-old), and Celia Cereline (instant cereal for weaning babies).
After
the health ministry issued warnings over the recalled products, most major
supermarkets as well as baby and maternal shops in the city of Hanoi saw an
absence of Lactalis products. Long-term customers were already full of concern,
including the question of whether there would be compensation from the
manufacturer.
According
to experts, salmonella – a type of intestinal bacteria that causes food
poisoning – leads to symptoms such as fever, abdominal cramps and
diarrhea, within 12-72 hours after exposure. In certain cases, diarrhea can
worsen to the level where patients need to be hospitalised. From the intestinal
tract, the bacteria will then enter the bloodstream and into other parts of the
body. Salmonellosis could be fatal if not treated early with antibiotics.
Tran
Viet Nga, deputy head of Vietnam food safety agency, said that the agency has
sent an urgent dispatch, telling customs and State inspection agencies at the
border gates to inspect the products in question and bar their entry.
Nga
added that similar products, even not in the inspection recommended list, would
also be reviewed. The imported products, according to the agency, would be
traced to the traders in the country – verifying how many products have been
bought in, and from what sources, how many have been sold.
“To
families that have been using Celia products for a long time, children
displaying symptoms like intense stomach-aches, severe diarrhea, or fever,
should be taken to the nearest medical facility immediately,” Nga said.
Vietnam
customs said that by the end of December last year, the country has imported
some 20,000 on the warning list.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
