Some 12 million boxes of infant milk formula have been recalled from Lactalis’ Craon factory due to a salmonella risk, the president of Lactalis, Emmanuel Besnier, has told French newspaper Journal du Dimanche.

He also told the publication that some 83 countries have been affected as a result of the recall, which was ordered on 12 January.

Lactalis recalled all of its milk powder and cereals, manufactured by the Craon site, in the Mayenne region of France, regardless of their date of production and their batch number.

The president also said that Lactalis will compensate “all the families who have suffered damage” as a result of contamination with the products affected.

In a statement the group said: “We would like to extend our sincere apologies to the families concerned.

“We measure the magnitude of the situation and understand the anxiety and the major disruptions it generates.”

Lactalis has also confirmed its commitments to identify the causes of the contamination, preserve the industrial site of Craon and the local dairy chain.

One month ago, it emerged that 26 children in France became sick from salmonella contamination as a result of consuming affected Lactalis products from the Craon site.

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French dairy giant, Lactalis, has recalled 12 million boxes of infant milk formula from one French factory, due to salmonella contamination.