Babies and more, committed to transparency in information and concerned about the case of salmonella recently detected, we wanted to approach Laboratorios Ordesa, producer of the Blemil Plus lot, the mark indicated as a possible cause of the outbreak, to know first hand all the possible data.
Usually, in cases like this, companies prefer to centralize communication in an official way, however, they have pleasantly surprised us by corresponding to our concern with a broad and direct interview in which they have answered all our questions, something really remarkable and that We deeply appreciate.
Babies and more has spoken with Montserrat Rivero, General Scientific Director of Ordesa Laboratories and, as I said, your answers have been clear, responsible and transparent, highlighting the sensitivity towards the affected families.
Thanks to this interview we have been able to know in depth the data, the chronology since the withdrawal of the Blemil lot and, above all, the actions taken by the company. We will publish this extensive interview in two installments, and we hope that they serve so that the consuming families know better what happened and understand the control procedures on the product.
Salmonellosis cases were detected before the withdrawal of the batch with defective closure. On what date were you notified of the possible problems of this lot and of the cases of salmonella that could be related to your consumption?
After the voluntary withdrawal carried out by Ordesa the week of February 4, the company was informed of possible cases of salmonella associated with lot 236.0 of Blemil Plus 1 Forte milk through the Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (Aesan ). Although we know today that the National Epidemiology Center, belonging to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, had been studying the relationship of salmonella cases with various brands of infant milk for more than a year, at the time the company decided to withdraw of lot 236.0, unfortunately I did not have this information.
How and when did they detect packaging failures?
The laboratory was aware of this circumstance during the first week of February thanks to product monitoring controls in the market and two complaints received from consumers.
How could it happen that, after the withdrawal, there are still cases of people who had those boats?
It is difficult to explain because we strictly follow the procedure through the relevant communication to the General Council of Pharmaceutical Associations of Spain, Official Pharmaceutical Associations, all pharmacies and parapharmacies customers of Ordesa and wholesalers. In addition to the company communicating it directly to its customers, both in online media and in the written press. You echoed the information on February 16.
Anyway, upon receiving some calls after the first week of February in which some people said they had still bought some cans, Ordesa hired a private company to review the stock in almost 10,000 pharmacies throughout Spain and thus ensure the effectiveness of withdrawal.
How many bottles of milk have been analyzed and what is the procedure?
In total, more than 600 salmonella analyzes have been carried out and all have been negative, that is, no Salmonella contamination has been found. These analyzes have been carried out by recognized independent external laboratories, following the official procedures established internationally. The analyzes have been performed by the PCR system, based on detection of specific genetic material of salmonella.
Have the analyzes been made of the boats in the factory, of the retired or of which the people who have sick children have handed over to the authorities?
We have analyzed both closed cans from the factory and a product provided by our consumers. The cans collected by the health authorities have been analyzed in public centers and we have had access to these containers.
How many cases of salmonellosis are from children who had officially taken this milk?
I cannot answer that question since the official information is only in the hands of the health authorities. I can only tell you, for guidance, that directly with Ordesa, 30 families have been contacted with babies affected by salmonella, some of the poona type, but many others with different serotypes or without having analyzes to be able to know. Is the type of analytics to detect a bacterium such as salmonella really reliable or can there be contamination that is not detected in the collected milk?
The analysis procedures are completely rigorous and the techniques are the most advanced in the sector. The results obtained by the reference laboratories that have carried out the analyzes for Ordesa are unquestionable since they use official methods and are treated in all cases of independent laboratories certified by the international ISO standards.
Have they received lawsuits from affected families?
We have not received any demand to date, although some of the affected families have informed us of their interest in seeking legal advice and have held telephone conversations with the legal department of Ordesa.
Are analyzes of possible contamination of all the lots made before their commercialization?
Of course, rigorous checks are carried out on an ordinary basis before placing the product on the market that involves several weeks of verification between the date the product leaves the manufacturing line and its release to the market. These controls are established by different national and European regulations and are scrupulously complied with. In addition, the company is certified by the International Standards ISO 9001 of Quality Management and ISO 22000 of Food Safety.
What failed in the packaging?
In some can the lower base of the same one did not seal correctly causing a possible loss of hermeticity. We are currently investigating whether, due to this, once the can of the factory came out, some kind of contamination could occur. It is something that had never happened.
Can these types of failures be repeated?
I am convinced that no. The company has taken the appropriate measures to prevent this type of situation from being repeated in the future by incorporating new control systems into the tightness of the cans.
Tomorrow we will publish the second part of this Babies interview and more to Montserrat Rivero, General Scientific Director of Ordesa Laboratories, in which we will delve into the safety of artificial milk marketed by the brand and the position of the company in the situation of affected families.
Our readers surely know my position on the question of the use of artificial milk and the controls that are carried out, so, I hope that my opinion, precisely because of the criticism that I usually show myself, is taken into account. Rarely have I found such an open and transparent attitude when approaching a company and this, no doubt, I think speaks in favor of Ordesa.
