Finance
EU says cereulide exposure risk low after baby formula recalls
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 19, 2026
Tags:European Union
Quick Summary
EU health agencies say infant exposure to cereulide-tainted formula is now low after broad recalls. Most cases are mild; France is probing three deaths and Switzerland found traces in two Danone products.
EU Finds Infant Formula Cereulide Exposure Risk Low Following Recalls
Regulatory Response and Market Implications
PARIS, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The risk of infants being exposed to baby formula contaminated with the cereulide toxin is now low following recalls across several countries, European food and disease authorities said on Thursday.
Source Ingredient: ARA Oil from China
Companies Affected: Nestlé, Danone, Lactalis
Cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting, was detected in ingredients from a supplier in China for several infant formula makers, including Nestle, Danone and Lactalis, triggering precautionary recalls in dozens of countries and raising concerns among parents.
The recalls were initiated in December, and expanded in February after the European Food Safety Authority advised a maximum threshold for cereulide used in infant formula.
EFSA–ECDC Assessment: Exposure Risk Now Low
"As a result of the large-scale control measures implemented in the EU, the likelihood of exposure to contaminated products has decreased and is considered low," the EFSA said in a joint assessment with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Reported Cases and Severity in Europe
As of February 13, seven European countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United Kingdom had reported cases of infants with gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming the affected formula, they said.
Most cases involved mild symptoms, although some infants were hospitalised for dehydration.
French investigators are examining the death of three babies who had consumed infant formula covered by precautionary recalls though no causal link has been scientifically established.
Swiss Tests Confirm Cereulide in Danone Batches
Cereulide was detected in two batches of recalled Danone infant formula, Swiss authorities said on Wednesday.
Case Identification Challenges
Experts say identifying and confirming cases can be challenging because symptoms are similar to common viral stomach infections and cereulide testing is not widely available.
(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Key Takeaways
- •EFSA and ECDC say infant exposure risk to cereulide-contaminated formula is now low after extensive EU control measures and recalls.
- •Contamination is traced to ARA oil from a Chinese supplier; brands affected include Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis, prompting global recalls.
- •Recalls began in December and widened in February after EFSA set an acute reference dose threshold for cereulide in infant formula.
- •Seven European countries reported infant gastrointestinal symptoms; most were mild, with some hospitalisations for dehydration.
- •France is probing three infant deaths with no proven causal link; Switzerland detected cereulide in two recalled Danone products.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU says cereulide exposure risk low after baby formula recalls
1What is the main topic?
EU health authorities report that the current risk of infant exposure to cereulide-contaminated formula is low following extensive recalls and control measures across Europe.
2Which companies and ingredients are involved?
Batches from Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis were recalled after cereulide was linked to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil from a supplier in China used in some infant formulas.
3What actions did regulators take and what does it mean?
EFSA issued an acute reference dose for cereulide, guiding withdrawals. With products pulled and testing intensified, exposure likelihood has dropped, though investigations continue.
