After the affair of infant milk contaminated with cereulide, the EU tightens its health rules

The European Union announced on Friday a tightening of its health rules concerning infant milk sold in Europe, after the affair of batches contaminated with cereulide, a toxin which can cause dangerous vomiting in newborns. The 27 approved the establishment of a “permanent health safety criterion concerning cereulide in infant formula”, indicated the European Commission.

The infant milk affair began in December 2025 with the recall by Nestlé of dozens of batches in around sixty countries because of the potential presence of cereulide. Manufacturers of infant milk, including the giants Nestlé (Guigoz, Nidal), Danone (Blédilait, Gallia) and Lactalis (Picot), but also smaller players like Vitagermine (Babybio Optima), were involved in this campaign. It was extended until April 2026.

“Faults in production processes”

According to the EU, the source of these contaminations was the use of an ingredient imported from China, oil containing arachidonic acid. The presence of the toxin in the products offered for sale was the result of “failures in the production processes” of the manufacturers. “This is why, based on a scientific assessment carried out by the European Food Safety Authority, Member States have approved strict maximum limits for the presence of this toxin in dry and liquid products,” the Commission said on Friday. These new health standards “will serve as a reference for controls carried out on products, both by food sector operators and by the competent authorities,” she added.