Baby Formula Recalled Globally Amid Salmonella Fears

 Posted on December 16, 2017 in Food borne illness

In December of 2017, French baby formula manufacturer Lactalis and the French government worked in tandem to oversee a global recall of various products sold in countries around the world. The products, which number in the millions of units sold, could potentially be contaminated with salmonella. The products were recalled across continents after 26 infants reportedly fell sick since December 1, 2017. There were no reported illnesses in the United States, nor were the products sold in the United States affected by the recall.

Salmonella is a dangerous type of food poisoning, especially when the victim is a young child or has a compromised immune system. It can be found in many different types of contaminated food and can also be transmitted through contaminated water.

Salmonella Poisoning Symptoms

An individual suffering from a salmonella infection can experience one, some, or all of the following symptoms:

• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea, which can be bloody;
• Fever;
• Headache; and
• Abdominal cramps.

Why Salmonella and Other Forms of Food Poisoning are More Dangerous for Babies than for Older Children and Adults

Salmonella poisoning is more common in young children than it is in older children and adults. It is also more dangerous for them. Approximately 50,000 salmonella poisoning cases are reported in the United States each year and in one third of them, the patient is a child four years old or younger.

Infants and young children are more likely to suffer severe symptoms and complications from salmonella infections because their immune systems are not as strong as older individuals' immune systems. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can spread from animals to humans through handling, through contaminated food and water, and from person to person.

When a salmonella infection patient is a young child or baby, a doctor may opt to treat the infection with antibiotics as a proactive course of action, rather than allowing the infection to run its course as is more common with older patients. Parents who recognize salmonella symptoms in their children should seek medical care for their children as soon as possible to ensure that they receive appropriate treatment. An accurate diagnosis can require a stool sample to determine which strain of salmonella is present in the patient's body. Salmonella is contagious, so a child diagnosed with this infection should be kept from other children until his or her treatment is complete. Typically, the illness persists for four to seven days from the onset of symptoms.

Work with an Experienced Libertyville Food Poisoning Attorney

If you or your child have become ill because of a contaminated food product, you could be eligible to recover monetary compensation for your related damages through a food poisoning claim. To learn more about this process and your rights, contact our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP today to schedule your initial consultation in our office. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Kate Krivanec)