contaminated baby milk : Sale despite reminders

A large wave of infant milks contaminated by salmonella and produced by the Lactalis group was reported in early December (See the recall here). The scandal is now growing after it has been discovered that several mass distribution giants have, Despite the reminders, marketed these frelated products.

These are a total of less than six groups in large distribution (Leclerc, Crossroads, U system, Auchan, Casino, Cora) who admitted to having sold lactalis products which should have been withdrawn from the sale.

Quantities of frelated products sold by sign :

• Casino : 403 (Giant & Casino : 352 / Franprix : 51)
• Crossroads : 434
• Sysème U : 384 (Hyper U / Super U)
• Cora : 72
• Auchan : 52
• Lerclerc : 984 “782 clients étaient potentiellement [concerned]. All customers have been identified, plus de la moitié ont déjà été contactés.” affirms the PDF of the group.
• Intermarché : an internal investigation is underway

Where does the failure come from? ?

Le président de l’UFC only choose, Alain Bazot, entrusted to France info que l’“on voit bien que le dispositif en France n’est pas au point” et qu’“il y a très peu de contrôles de la part de l’État. On connaît les moyens indigents de la direction concurrence-consommation qui fait ce qu’elle peut.”

The DGCCRF (Directorate-General for competition, Consumption and the Repression of fraud) meanwhile claimed on Wednesday to have carried out more than 2 000 checks to verify that the batches of Lactalis infant milk concerned had indeed been withdrawn from stores.

The political reaction to this scandal

The Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire convenes this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. these groups judged “défaillants” et a annoncé que la répression des fraudes procéderait “dès la semaine prochaine” à 2 500 additional checks in establishments holding Lactalis milk. He further stated that “cette affaire est grave, elle a donné lieu à des comportements inacceptables qui devront être sanctionnés”.

Emmanuel Macron confirmed that “si des sanctions doivent être prises, elles seront prises”.

What penalties could retailers face? ?

Alain Bazot affirme que les grandes enseignes “incur a fifth-class fine [from 1 500 to 3 000 euros]. It's ridiculous. Il faut qu’il y ait des audits externes qui garantissent que la décision prise est traitée selon une procédure efficace et que le consommateur soit rassuré.”

A number of customers said they would file a complaint against groups. An association of families of victims affected by contaminated milk was also made up.

Does the scandal stop on the French border ?