Prosecutors in Paris have opened investigations into five baby formula manufacturers after several issued mass recalls over concerns their product contained a toxin. Nestle, Lactalis, Danone, Babybio, and La Marque en moins will be probed over whether there was any criminal wrongdoing in distributing baby formula that may have been contaminated with cereulide. French authorities have received complaints from eight individuals who reported their child vomited after consuming baby formula.
Last week, Nestle and Danone issued recalls in more than 60 countries, including the UK, over potentially contaminated batches. At least 36 infants in the UK have suffered from suspected food poisoning after consuming baby formula, officials have said. Cereulide is a toxin which is unlikely to be destroyed through cooking or when making baby milk, and can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
The toxin was linked to an ingredient known as arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which gives baby formula some of the same growth properties as breast milk. This supplier has now been identified as Wuhan-based Cabio Biotech, triggering a national directive in China for domestic baby formula manufacturers to test for cereulide.
Prosecutors will seek to establish whether the baby formula producers are liable for distributing a tainted product, coordinating with local probes into possible links between the contaminated formula and the deaths of three babies in France. Nestle and the French health ministry have stressed that there is currently no evidence to indicate such a link.
As part of their response, Nestle and Danone have assured the UK Food Standards Agency that the recalled batches were produced a while ago and are unlikely to still be on shop shelves. However, parents are advised to check their supplies at home. Nestle has also announced plans to operate five factories continuously to increase baby formula production in light of the recalls. This effort aims to help meet demand while ensuring that families have access to high-quality infant formula they can trust.}
Last week, Nestle and Danone issued recalls in more than 60 countries, including the UK, over potentially contaminated batches. At least 36 infants in the UK have suffered from suspected food poisoning after consuming baby formula, officials have said. Cereulide is a toxin which is unlikely to be destroyed through cooking or when making baby milk, and can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
The toxin was linked to an ingredient known as arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which gives baby formula some of the same growth properties as breast milk. This supplier has now been identified as Wuhan-based Cabio Biotech, triggering a national directive in China for domestic baby formula manufacturers to test for cereulide.
Prosecutors will seek to establish whether the baby formula producers are liable for distributing a tainted product, coordinating with local probes into possible links between the contaminated formula and the deaths of three babies in France. Nestle and the French health ministry have stressed that there is currently no evidence to indicate such a link.
As part of their response, Nestle and Danone have assured the UK Food Standards Agency that the recalled batches were produced a while ago and are unlikely to still be on shop shelves. However, parents are advised to check their supplies at home. Nestle has also announced plans to operate five factories continuously to increase baby formula production in light of the recalls. This effort aims to help meet demand while ensuring that families have access to high-quality infant formula they can trust.}
