Danone contamination scandal summary
- Cereulide toxin detected in Aptamil batch escalating sector alarm
- Urgent Danone recall marks shift from precautionary action to confirmed contamination
- Cereulide traced to broader supply‑chain issues intensifying global infant safety fears
- Nestlé link to contaminated ARA oil deepens scrutiny of major formula producers
- Watchdogs cite delayed recalls and systemic failures in EU safety oversight
In a devastating discovery for the infant formula sector, the cereulide contamination scandal is spreading.
Over the weekend, Danone recalled a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula sold in the UK due to the presence of cereulide. The toxin, produced by strains of bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, and others, is known to destroy mitochondria.
If consumed, cereulide can cause nausea and vomiting. It’s been reported that some infants who consumed now-recalled batched of Nestlé infant formula have fallen “seriously ill” – or worse.
How the infant formula scandal unfolded
It all started with a precautionary recall. Earlier this month, Nestlé issued a recall of a number of its infant formula products over concerns they contained the toxin cereulide. The alert was global: Nestlé sold its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula batches around the world.
The contamination has been traced back to an arachidonic acid (ARA) oil ingredient supplied to Nestlé by a third party. ARA oil is added to infant formula to support brain and retina development.
Next, reports of sickness started coming in. Reports surfaced of a British infant being hospitalised, as well as two cases of infant illnesses in Brazil. It’s alleged all three babies had consumed now-recalled batches of Nestlé’s formula.
And now, the situation could have taken a turn for the worse, with France investigating two infant deaths following allegations they consumed contaminated batches of Nestlé formula.
Scandal deepens as Danone and Lactalis implicated
Since Nestlé first raised the alarm, other dairy majors have issued precautionary recalls on batches of infant formula – Danone and Lactalis included.
But the confirmation that a batch of Danone’s infant formula contains the toxin takes the scandal to the next level. This urgent recall is not precautionary.
Danone has not immediately responded to a request for comment. Neither has Nestlé nor Lactalis, although the former did publicly apologise for the disruption caused by the global recall of some batches.
All three dairy majors now face mounting pressure from regulators and consumer watchdogs. Foodwatch International is preparing legal action against Nestlé, Lactalis, and national food safety authorities, arguing the recalls were issued too late. The watchdog’s latest accusations highlight deep flaws in the EU’s food safety monitoring and recall systems.
