Lactalis Recall Caused Serial Reactions in China

2017-12-08    CNCA, AQSIQ    917  

Lactalis issued recall for its infant formula after linked to salmonella outbreak, which rose a high attention in France and western countries as well as China. Though Lactalis didnt export its infant products to China in general mode of tra

Lactalis issued recall for its infant formula after linked to salmonella outbreak, which rose a high attention in France and western countries as well as China. Though Lactalis didn’t export its infant products to China in general mode of trade, there are still infant formulas are sold online. Chinese authorities, retailers and media all rapidly reacted to this food safety event.

 

CNCA suspend its registration for failure in risk identity

Two days after French authority ordered the recall, the manufacturer of Lactalis, CELIA-LAITERIE DE CRAON, was paused its registration qualification for infant formula milk powder by China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA). CNCA provided the reason that the manufacturer failed to completely identify risks which may lead the substandard of products. Losing registration status means the infant formula manufactured by CRAON cannot be sold in China from 2018. The only good news to Lactalis is CNCA didn’t canceled its registration for general dairy products.

 

AQSIQ issued consumer alert

China Administration of Quarantine, Supervision and Inspection (AQSIQ) released a consumer alert about avoiding purchase and consume any involved batch of products. According to the AQSIQ, the possibly contaminated products, 12 batches of Infant formula for specific medical purpose and infant formula in 3 brands, were not exported in general mode of trade to China. The authority also warned the shoppers using overseas direct delivery service to discard any involved products.

 

Position of media and retailers

Infant formula has been a sensitive topic in China since melamine milk scandal in 2008. A flood of reports came out after the recall was issued and the media also supervised the online shopping platforms to supervise whether the retailers discontinued selling the risky products. As retailers like store owners on Tmall and JD.com, to show their responsibility to consumer, they promised will not sell any involved products.