Bahrain Ministry pulls polluted baby milk formula

Manama : The Ministry of Health (MoH) has pulled four batches of baby milk products of French origin off the local markets shelves.

A circular issued in this regard warns consumers that the products were found to be polluted with “salmonella agona” bacteria. In a statement, the Food Safety Control Department said it received a copy of the circular issued by the European Food Safety Commission from the Ministry. 

Earlier this month, French authorities banned the sale of several baby formula milk and food products by diary giant Lactalis following the discovery of salmonella in babies less than six months old. 

The recall, follows 20 cases of infection in infents, affected countries includ: China, Taiwan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Colombia and Peru.

Reuters quoting French consumer protection agency DGCCRF said, “Lactalis had not managed contamination risk and has been ordered to conduct a product recall and halt the sale and export of several baby food products made at its Craon plant in western France since Feb. 15.”

Affected products

As per the circular issued, the ministry has warned consumers to avoid using the following four batches imported to the Kingdom:

Celia AD 350g LOT No. 17C0012750, Expiry date: 9-11-2018

Celia AR 400g LOT No. 17C0012820, Expiry date: 22-11-2018

PreCelia 400g LOT No. 17C0013092, Expiry date: 11-01-2019

Celia AL/NUT 400g GCC LOT No.: 17C0013287 :Expiry date: 22-01-2019