(Yicai Global) Dec. 6 -- Twelve batches of infant formula made by France's Lactalis Group have been contaminated with salmonella. 

The French firm CELIA-LAITERIE DE CRAON had its registration suspended  in China as of yesterday, China's certification agency  announced today, as NetEase Finance reported.

CELIA-LAITERIE DE CRAON, a subsidiary of Lactalis, produces infant formula under the CELIA brand. The company ranked third in this year's Global Dairy Top 20 list, with sales of about USD18 billion last year.

The 12 batches of three brands of Lactalis infant formula affected and recalled were Lait Picot SL, Pepti Junior and Milumel Bio, France's health ministry said Dec. 2.

The salmonella contamination sickened 20 babies under six months in eight different regions, French health authorities said. Confirmation came that 13 infants consumed the formula made at the same Lactalis plant between mid-July and the end of November. The group has announced the emergency withdrawal of related products and recalled the products sold.

The formula involved sells not only in France, but also on e-commerce platforms in China and abroad. The recalled brand Milumel Bio is still available on such domestic platforms as Ymatou.com and JD.com, though some stocks have been pulled.

The contaminated infant formula did not come into China through official channels. "No statistics on the subject products sold on overseas e-commerce platforms is available," Jiang Xia, a staffer with Lactalis China, told NetEase Finance.