All batches of infant milk affected by possible bacterial contamination have "been withdrawn" from the market, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said on Friday after recalls ordered in particular by Nestlé, which promises to contribute to the investigations "in full transparency".
Two criminal investigations have been opened in Bordeaux and Angers following the recent deaths of two infants who consumed infant milk recalled by Nestlé due to "possible contamination" by a toxic substance linked to the Bacillus Cereus bacteria, without any "causal link" established at this time, according to the authorities.
Speaking to parents who give their babies powdered milk, the minister advised on Friday that they should "check" on the "consumer recall" website to see if their formula has been recalled. "If so, you should put it aside and buy another box of formula," she stated on BFM TV.
“If the milk was consumed yesterday or the day before yesterday, if there are no symptoms, there is no problem. If there are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, (…) which is very common at the moment, because there are gastroenteritis cases, we are not overly concerned, but if symptoms exist and the milk was consumed from a box that was supposed to be withdrawn, in those cases, (you must) go and consult the doctor,” she continued.
She also assured that potentially contaminated milk had been "removed" from the market.
– Nestlé expresses its “condolences” –
On January 5th, Nestlé initiated a large-scale recall of Guigoz and Nidal brand infant formula due to the potential presence of "cereulide" in these products, which are otherwise subject to rigorous controls. This toxic component, produced under certain conditions by a family of bacteria, Bacillus cereus, can cause severe vomiting within hours of consumption.
The Swiss food giant reacted on Friday to the announcement of the opening of two criminal investigations in France, saying it expressed its "most sincere condolences to the families who are grieving" following the death of two infants.
"As stated by the authorities, nothing at this stage indicates a link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products," Nestlé France said in a statement sent to AFP.
“We (…) remain fully available to the authorities and are cooperating transparently to contribute to any necessary clarification, as we have been doing since day one,” the company added.
The manufacturer of the arachidonic acid-rich (ARA) oil that could potentially contain cereulide is the Chinese producer Cabio Biotech, according to sources close to the matter.
This company, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Wuhan, is the main Chinese producer of this type of oil and supplies many local and international infant formula producers (Nestlé, Danone, among others).
Following Nestlé, the French company Lactalis also announced on Wednesday the launch of a large-scale recall of infant milk in several countries, including France.
"It is the manufacturers who are responsible for carrying out self-checks," Stéphanie Rist stated. "As we speak, there is no significant scientific alert," she added, without providing further details.
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