Food giants Nestle and Danone are facing renewed scrutiny over their handling of contaminated baby formula, following an investigation by French, Belgian and Swiss public media outlets. The joint inquiry by Radio France, RTBF and RTS alleges that Nestle delayed informing European authorities about the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly dangerous for infants.
The contaminated ingredient, arachidonic acid oil from China's CABIO Biotech, was used by several infant formula makers including Nestle, Danone and Lactalis. Its discovery has already triggered product recalls in multiple countries and caused significant concern among parents.
Nestle stated it first detected low cereulide levels in late November, stopping use of all mixes containing the supplier's oil after contamination was confirmed on 24 December. It notified the supplier on 29 December and analysed samples until 3 January before launching public recalls from 5 January. However, the media outlets claim that 838,000 cans of infant formula were held back from 26 December at Nestle's factory in northern France and other production sites, while products already on the market remained in distribution channels without an official recall or immediate notification to European authorities.
The outlets also said Nestle carried out 'silent' withdrawals in Austria and Germany from 24 December, while Danone products were withdrawn from sale in January before public recalls were issued. Nestle strongly contested that allegation, with a spokesperson calling the reports 'inaccurate and misleading' and stressing that the company acted with full transparency and cooperated with authorities from 'day one'. Danone said the health and safety of babies was its number one priority and that it fully cooperated with authorities, responding with precautionary measures including recalls and additional quality checks.
Prosecutors in the French cities of Bordeaux and Angers have ruled out a link between the deaths of infants and recalled formula products. Another investigation opened in Meaux was transferred to Paris, according to Radio France.
