Baby Formula Recalled Across Europe After New Safety Limits Flag Harmful Toxin

Many baby formula brands have pulled products from stores after France lowered the allowed level of a toxin that can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. French companies Popote and Vitagermine removed

at least five batches of infant formula after the rules were changed. News reports said Popote recalled two lots, while Vitagermine pulled three, saying it acted to “better ensure the safety of infants.” The move follows even as there have been many formula recalls across more than 60 countries since last month – including ones by major manufacturers like Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis amid concerns that the products could be contaminated with cereulide - a toxin made by bacteria. The daily exposure limit of cereulide has been cut by France’s agriculture ministry from 0.03 to 0.014 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The updated maximum translates to 0.054 micrograms of cereulide per litre of infant formula, Yahoo reported.

Did the move follow the death of two infants?

Media reports say no direct link has been confirmed between the recalled formulas and the deaths of two infants in France in December and January. Many have called for a complete ban on cereulide. “Cereulide should not be there at all in the first place,” Foodwatch, a European consumer group, argues that baby products should never expose infants to health risks. However, as of now, there has not been any direct link established between the recalled formulas and the deaths.

Chinese supplier in the dock

Cabio Biotech – a China-based company which supplies ARA oil, a fatty acid used mainly in infant formula and food products, is in the docks. Many of the brands have said they pulled products after alerts tied to ingredients from the supplier. As of now, Cabio Biotech has not publicly responded to claims that its ingredient may be contaminated.Also read: 5 Routine Health Tests That Can Help Catch Cancer Early

Cereulide is a dangerous toxin that causes food poisoning

Cereulide is a potent toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium commonly found in soil, dust, and food products. Unlike many foodborne toxins, it is heat-stable – which means cereulide is not destroyed by cooking, reheating, or boiling. This makes it particularly dangerous in foods that are cooked and then improperly stored. Cereulide is best known for causing the vomiting form of food poisoning. Symptoms usually begin within 30 minutes to 6 hours after consumption and include intense nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and occasionally diarrhoea. Foods most commonly associated with cereulide contamination include cooked rice, pasta, dairy products, infant formula, and ready-to-eat meals left at room temperature for long periods. Beyond gastrointestinal illness, cereulide is increasingly recognized for its toxic effects on organs, especially the liver. In rare but severe cases, particularly in infants and young children, exposure has been linked to acute liver failure, requiring emergency medical care or transplantation. What makes cereulide especially concerning is that it can form before food shows signs of spoilage, such as a bad smell or taste. Prevention therefore, relies heavily on proper food hygiene, rapid refrigeration after cooking, strict temperature control, and adherence to food safety regulations.