Picot infant formula recall prompts preventive pull in Taiwan

Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) Taiwanese officials said Thursday that none of the Picot infant formula batches recalled overseas by French dairy giant Lactalis had been imported into the country, though a local importer has initiated a preventive recall of nearly 30,000 cans of another Lactalis product.

Lactalis announced Wednesday a global recall of multiple batches of Picot infant formula due to possible contamination with cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by Bacillus cereus that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The recall affects products sold in several countries, including France, China, Australia and Mexico.

A spokesperson for Lactalis told AFP that Taiwan was also among the countries concerned.

According to the AFP report, Lactalis did not disclose the supplier of the potentially contaminated ingredient but released a list of six affected lot numbers, while stressing that all other batches were safe.

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that none of the six recalled Picot batches had inspection or registration records in Taiwan, meaning they never entered the local market.

However, the FDA said Taiwanese importer End Strong Enterprise Co. had filed a voluntary preventive recall of another Lactalis infant formula product Neoangelac Plus after being notified by the French company it could not rule out the possibility that ingredients used in the product were contaminated.

Hsu Chao-kai (許朝凱), head of the FDA's Division of Food Safety, told reporters that two batches were involved.

One batch has not arrived in Taiwan, while the other totaling 29,928 cans had already been imported.

The recalled product is sold under the name "Neoangelac Plus Extra Care Infant Formula," lot number 8000003215, with a production date of Nov. 23, 2024 and an expiration date of Nov. 16, 2027, according to the FDA.

Hsu said the importer opted for a cautious approach to safeguard consumer health, even though contamination has not been confirmed.

The FDA urged consumers who have the affected product to stop using it immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange, adding that importers have been instructed to strengthen self-management and promptly report any potential food safety risks.

The importer said all Neoangelac infant products sold in Taiwan are safe, describing the recall as a voluntary preventive measure reflecting its commitment to product quality and consumer safety.