The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) is a global network of national food safety authorities, managed jointly by FAO and WHO. One of the main aims of INFOSAN is to facilitate the rapid exchange of information across borders when internationally traded food products are identified as unsafe for human consumption.
When an outbreak of salmonellosis infections among infants was identified in France in December 2017, French authorities were able to link cases to the consumption of certain infant formula products, produced by a single manufacturer in France and contaminated with Salmonella Agona.
Recalls of the implicated infant formula products as well as all other products produced by this manufacturer since February 2017 were subsequently issued and overseen by French authorities. Many of the recalled products were exported to over 80 countries and territories. The INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point in France rapidly shared the distribution details of the affected products with the INFOSAN Secretariat.
The INFOSAN Secretariat was able to immediately notify the INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points in the importing countries of the details of the recalled products to stop their distribution, and allow members around the world to implement appropriate risk management measures to prevent additional cases of illness.
Multiple INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points notified WHO of various measures that were swiftly taken, including the withdrawal of the products from markets and the issuance of public health advice to consumers.
The INFOSAN Secretariat worked closely with INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points around the world, monitoring the international distribution of implicated infant formula and providing assistance to affected countries, as required.
The INFOSAN Secretariat advises all consumers to follow the FAO/WHO guidelines for the safe preparation, storage and use of powdered formula which includes easy to follow, step-by-step recommendations.
If children who have consumed the recalled products exhibit symptoms, such as diarrhoea possibly accompanied by fever, parents are recommended to contact a doctor as soon as possible.
When an outbreak of salmonellosis infections among infants was identified in France in December 2017, French authorities were able to link cases to the consumption of certain infant formula products, produced by a single manufacturer in France and contaminated with Salmonella Agona.
Recalls of the implicated infant formula products as well as all other products produced by this manufacturer since February 2017 were subsequently issued and overseen by French authorities. Many of the recalled products were exported to over 80 countries and territories. The INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point in France rapidly shared the distribution details of the affected products with the INFOSAN Secretariat.
The INFOSAN Secretariat was able to immediately notify the INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points in the importing countries of the details of the recalled products to stop their distribution, and allow members around the world to implement appropriate risk management measures to prevent additional cases of illness.
Multiple INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points notified WHO of various measures that were swiftly taken, including the withdrawal of the products from markets and the issuance of public health advice to consumers.
The INFOSAN Secretariat worked closely with INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points around the world, monitoring the international distribution of implicated infant formula and providing assistance to affected countries, as required.
The INFOSAN Secretariat advises all consumers to follow the FAO/WHO guidelines for the safe preparation, storage and use of powdered formula which includes easy to follow, step-by-step recommendations.
If children who have consumed the recalled products exhibit symptoms, such as diarrhoea possibly accompanied by fever, parents are recommended to contact a doctor as soon as possible.