Infant formula contamination deaths investigation summary<\/p>\n
French authorities are investigating the deaths of two infants, who are reported to have consumed contaminated infant formula.<\/p>\n
The first child, who died in the southwestern town of Pessac, had been fed with Nestl\u00e9\u2019s Guigoz powdered milk.<\/p>\n
The manufacturer and brand consumed by the second child, who died in the western town of Angers, is not yet known. However, it\u2019s now confirmed that Nestl\u00e9<\/a>, Danone<\/a> and Lactalis<\/a> all sourced potentially contaminated infant formula from the Dutch factory at the centre of the scandal. All three manufacturers have carried out global recalls.<\/p>\n Authorities have been quick to emphasise that there is no current evidence to suggest the deaths were linked to the baby formula products, and that investigations are ongoing.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo reports of infant deaths have been brought to the attention of the health authorities, involving children who were reported to have consumed the infant formula affected by the recalls. To date, no causal link has been scientifically established,\u201d the French health ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n It went on to say that \u201cfurther analyses are underway and these cases are being investigated by the relevant public prosecutors\u201d.<\/p>\n Also read \u2192 Nestl\u00e9 CEO issues apology following infant formula scandal<\/a>Ongoing scandal<\/p>\n News that infant formula had potentially been infected with cereulide broke earlier this month when Nestl\u00e9 put out a global recall on its products.<\/p>\n At the time the Swiss multinational said that there had been no confirmed reports of illness associated with the products and that the action was \u201cout of an abundance of caution\u201d.<\/p>\n It went onto say the safety and wellbeing of babies is the company\u2019s \u201cabsolute priority\u201d.<\/p>\n However, food watchdog FoodWatch criticised the multinational, saying \u201cNestl\u00e9 and Dutch food authorities had been aware of contaminations of infant formula products since at least the beginning of December [2025].\u201d<\/p>\n Since the recall was announced, five children are believed to have been infected – two in Brazil<\/a>, one in the United Kingdom<\/a>, and now two in France.<\/p>\n What is cereulide?<\/p>\n Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium and related species. It is a potent cytotoxin that destroys mitochondria. It causes nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n Ongoing investigation<\/p>\n French and European health authorities are now working to trace the full distribution of the affected batches and determine how the contamination occurred at the Dutch production site. <\/p>\n Inspectors are examining manufacturing processes, hygiene controls and testing protocols, while companies involved have been ordered to cooperate fully with the investigation.<\/p>\n In the meantime, parents and caregivers have been advised to check product batch numbers carefully and to stop using any formula included in the recalls, returning it to retailers or manufacturers. Health officials have stressed that consumers should not panic, but should remain vigilant and seek medical advice if infants show unusual symptoms.<\/p>\n As the inquiry continues, the case is likely to intensify scrutiny of infant formula supply chains across Europe, renewing calls from consumer groups for stricter oversight and faster public communication when potential risks are identified. Further findings from prosecutors and health agencies are expected in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n