Khaberni - Companies "Nestlé", "Danone", and "Lactalis" were forced to recall batches of synthetic infant milk worldwide amid fears of contamination with the toxic substance "cereulide". The top three dairy companies in the world, "Nestle", "Danone", and "Lactalis", recalled large quantities of dried infant milk after detecting contamination with cereulide, a toxin capable of causing vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
The source of the contamination was traced back to a single Chinese supplier of "ARA" oil (arachidonic acid), a key component in premium infant milk formulas.
"Lactalis" was the last company to announce the recall of six batches of its "Pico" infant milk brand, distributed in 18 countries.
The affected batches have been sold since January 2025 with expiration dates extending to March 2027.
The company stated: "Upon receiving this alert, and in parallel with the required analyses from the concerned component supplier, 'LNS' (Lactalis Nutrition Santé) immediately began tests through a certified independent lab to assess the potentially affected products."
The company added that it fully realizes that this information may cause concern among parents of young children and that at this stage, the French authorities have not been notified of any complaints or reports related to consumption of these products.
As for "Danone", the recall was smaller in size so far, as a single batch produced in Thailand was retrieved on request from the Singapore Food Agency before reaching the market.
The company told "Euronews Health": "All of our products are manufactured under stringent safety and quality standards and undergo thorough testing before leaving our factories", adding that the products were withheld as a precautionary measure.
The spokesperson added: "All control operations confirm that the products are safe and fully compliant with international and local regulations, and no violations or deviations related to 'Bacillus cereus' bacteria and good manufacturing practices have been recorded."
Nestlé: Controversy around transparency "Nestlé" was the first company to withdraw its formulas from markets in more than 60 countries after detecting contamination at one of its sites in the Netherlands.
The voluntary recall announced by the company turned into one of the largest recalls in its history, affecting several brands such as "SMA", "Pipa", "Giggle", and "Alfamino".
"Nestlé" stated following the recall: "The safety of food and the well-being of all infants remain our highest priority."
It added: "We recognize that this news may cause concern, and we are committed to providing clear, transparent information and support to parents and caregivers throughout this process."
However, the transparency of the process was questioned by consumer protection groups. They announced their intention to lodge legal complaints against "Nestlé", accusing the company of failures in tracking and delays in the public warning duty.
According to an investigation conducted by "Foodwatch" Netherlands, "Nestlé" first confirmed the matter at the beginning of December 2025, but public recall actions started only in the first week of January.
Nicole van Hemert, director of "Foodwatch" Netherlands, said: "Why did we only learn in January 2026 that 60 countries were eventually affected by the recall of dried infant milk due to the presence of 'Bacillus cereus' bacteria, while it was only nine in December?"
She added: "How does 'Nestlé', supposed to guarantee the immediate tracking of sensitive children's products, explain the fragmented distribution of information and the delayed recalls in many countries?"
"Nestlé" reported that no confirmed illness cases related to the concerned products have been recorded until now.
