Authorities in France have launched a “judicial investigation” into baby-formula recalls but insist there have been no casual deaths.
Media reports have suggested two infants have died from consuming the formulas in question since Nestlé first recalled certain batches of its Nan stage 1 powders in December, although no substantiated evidence has emerged.
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Nestlé expanded its recall from Europe into a worldwide retraction of certain formulas early in January after identifying the presence of the cereulide toxin in an ingredient from a supplier. This week, French dairy giant Lactalis joined the recall notice, while Danone has pulled formula in Singapore.
The toxin is associated with the Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea in babies. In the case of Nestlé and Lactalis, the toxin is said to have emanated from the supply of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
France’s Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, through its Health Crisis Centre, has confirmed a probe but downplayed reports of deaths linked to the recalls.
“At this stage, no analysis has shown a causal link between the consumption of the infant milks concerned and the occurrence of symptoms in an infant. Two reports of infant deaths have been brought to the attention of the health authorities in children for whom the consumption of infant milk affected by the withdrawals-recalls has been reported,” the authority said in a statement.
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By GlobalData“To date, no imputability has been scientifically established. Additional analyses are underway and these situations are the subject of a judicial investigation by the prosecutors concerned.”
Nestlé has also insisted it is not aware of any deaths in connection with the recall, which was expanded earlier this month to include SMA, SMA Alfamino and Beba formulas but remained a precautionary measure.
“To our knowledge, based on information we have to date, no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved in the recall,” a Nestlé spokesperson said.
“We take all consumer inquiries very seriously, listen to parents, and review each case individually. Food safety and quality remain our top priority.”
France’s Health Crisis Centre forwarded a joint statement to Just Food – dated 22 January – in conjunction with the country’s National Agency for Health Safety (ANSES).
They too said no links with baby deaths have been established as they confirmed earlier reports that the source of the ARA connected with the cereulide toxin was China.
Foodwatch, a European advocacy body, also claimed via its French division this week that the ingredient had come from China, without revealing the source of its information.
“Investigations conducted by the operator under the supervision of the relevant authorities identified an ingredient as the source of the contamination: an oil rich in arachidonic acid, beneficial for the healthy development of babies, produced by a Chinese supplier,” the joint ANSES statement read.
“This discovery led to the recall of numerous other batches of Nestlé infant formula, and then, on January 21, to the recall of batches of Lactalis infant formula.”
Both the agencies advised formula manufacturers “worldwide”, to “conduct a risk analysis to assess the safety of each batch of infant formula placed on the market” if they have used ARA from the supplier.
“At this stage, no causal link has been established between the consumption of the infant formulas in question and the occurrence of symptoms in infants,” they added.
“State services, in close collaboration with their agencies, remain fully mobilised and are ensuring enhanced monitoring of the situation. They are ensuring the proper implementation of measures taken by operators in the infant-formula sector, within the framework of this alert, the evolution of which is being continuously monitored.”
Privately owned Lactalis issued a recall this week for six batches of its Picot infant formula.
Danone, meanwhile, blocked the sale of certain infant formula in Singapore at the request of the local regulator as a precautionary measure.
Lactalis said in a statement earlier this week: “This recall follows an alert from the French professional association for infant nutrition regarding the potential presence of cereulide in an ingredient (Omega 6 ARA) supplied by an international provider and used in the formulation of certain infant formulas.
“Upon receiving this alert, and in parallel with the analyses requested from the supplier of the ingredient concerned, LNS immediately initiated testing through an accredited independent laboratory to assess the potentially affected products.”
A spokesperson for Lactalis confirmed 18 countries are currently included in the recall, including Europe, the Asia Pacific and South America: Australia; Chile; Colombia; Congo; Ecuador; Spain; France; Georgia; Greece; Kuwait; Madagascar; Mexico; Uzbekistan; Peru; French Polynesia; the Czech Republic; and Taiwan.
Danone said via a spokesperson the dairy giant is working with the Singapore Food Agency but stressed all of its products are “manufactured in line with strict food safety and quality standards and undergo rigorous testing before leaving our factories”.
The company added that “no irregularities or deviations in relation to Bacillus cereus and ‘Good Manufacturing Practices’ have been identified”.
