Lactalis and Danone have become the latest companies to halt sales of certain infant formulas because of a problem with one of the raw materials.
Infant formula and follow-on formulas were first recalled by Nestlé because of the potential presence of cereulide. Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning.
Cereulide was detected in one of the raw materials from a supplier used in production. Nestlé tested arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and oil mixes used in potentially affected infant nutrition products.
In France, Lactalis recalled six lots of Picot infant formula because of the possible presence of cereulide. Lactalis Nutrition Santé (LNS) said the products were available in pharmacies and supermarkets and have dates lasting until early 2027.
Initial analysis of the ARA ingredient and the finished product by an accredited lab were compliant. However, further tests revealed the presence of cereulide.
Singapore findings
Following enhanced surveillance and testing, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected cereulide toxin in two infant formula products.
One of these is a Nestle product but the other is from a brand owned by Danone. The Dumex Dulac 1 800-gram product has batch number 101570778C, expiry date Sept. 3, 2027, and came from Thailand.
Singapore-based manufacturer, SMC Nutrition, also used the implicated raw ingredient in some infant formula products for export. SMC Nutrition was told to stop the export of affected items.
According to SFA, there is one case who consumed one of the affected products with mild symptoms likely associated with cereulide exposure. This patient has since recovered. The agency said there are no definitive clinical laboratory tests to confirm cereulide poisoning.
Swiss recall
In Switzerland, Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition recalled certain batches of goat's milk products possibly contaminated with cereulide.
The recall is because of a raw material used in the production of goat's milk. Arachidonic acid was partially contaminated with cereulide and was processed in small quantities at Hochdorf at the end of 2025.
Bimbosan goat’s milk 1 refill 400-gram with lot numbers 30484024 and 30484025 and dated Oct. 24, 2027, are part of the recall. As is Bimbosan goat's milk 1 Travel Portion 5x25-gram with lot code 30484247 and a date of Oct. 24, 2026. Distribution includes Algeria, Austria, Cameroon, France, Germany, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.
A public health agency in Brazil previously confirmed the illness of two babies who consumed infant formula recalled by Nestlé.
Health officials in Distrito Federal (Federal District) said the patients consumed products from batches identified as affected by Nestlé. The formula was purchased before the recall, which has spread to more than 60 countries.
The infants, who are around 1-year-old, had persistent vomiting and diarrhea. After identification of the consumed batches, the families suspended use of the products, and they are recovering well.
According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), cereulide is not inactivated by heating, so boiling food does not eliminate the toxin. Because of the low water content, Bacillus cereus cannot multiply in undissolved powder and cereulide cannot be formed. However, if powder is dissolved and stored at room temperature for several hours, the bacteria can multiply and cereulide can be formed. The agency said it is important that powdered infant formulas are prepared immediately before consumption.
