the Lactalis group is indicted for aggravated deception and involuntary injuries

The Lactalis group and the company Celia Laiterie were indicted on Thursday, February 16, for aggravated deception and involuntary injuries in the investigation into the salmonella contamination of infant milk which affected dozens of infants at the end of 2017, the group announced in a press release. The two companies are placed under judicial supervision with a bond of 300,000 euros each, according to the group.

A total of 53 identified infants had been affected by salmonellosis in France at the end of 2017 after consuming a product for children, mainly of the Milumel or Picot brand, from the Craon factory, located in Mayenne.

Several hundred complaints

Salmonellosis is food poisoning, which ranges from mild gastroenteritis to more serious infections, especially for young children, the elderly or debilitated. The process of withdrawing contaminated products had been chaotic and many malfunctions that had led to contamination had been brought to light.

After several weeks of crisis, the group, renowned for its culture of secrecy, had withdrawn in mid-January 2018 all of its infant milk produced in the offending factory, the production of which had to be suspended for more than six months. Several hundred complaints have been filed and several dozen people have been interviewed by investigators.