Nestle and Danone Face Scrutiny Over Infant Formula Contamination Response

Food giants Nestle and Danone are facing renewed scrutiny over their handling of infant formula contamination, following reports from French, Belgian, and Swiss public media outlets questioning the speed of recalls for potentially harmful products.

A joint inquiry by Radio France, RTBF, and RTS specifically alleges that Nestle delayed informing European authorities about the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and poses particular risks to infants. It was detected in an ingredient from China's CABIO Biotech.

The contaminated ingredient was used by several infant formula makers, including Nestle, Danone, and Lactalis. Its discovery has already triggered product recalls in multiple countries and fuelled significant concern among parents.

A Nestle spokesperson said the investigative reports contained "inaccurate and misleading information", stressing that the company acted with full transparency and cooperated with the authorities from "day one". They also said it followed a "strict process" of assessment, traceability, and identification before public recalls.

The company stated it first detected low cereulide levels in late November, stopping use of all mixes containing the supplier's arachidonic acid oil after contamination was confirmed on 24 December.

Danone has also not immediately responded to requests for comment.

It notified the supplier on 29 December and analysed samples until 3 January to determine the issue's scope, before launching public recalls from 5 January.

Radio France said 838,000 cans of infant formula were held back from 26 December at Nestle's factory in northern France and other production sites.

It said products already on the market remained in distribution channels or consumers' homes without an official recall or immediate notification to European authorities, despite rules requiring prompt reporting when a health risk is identified.

The media outlets also said Nestle carried out "silent" withdrawals in Austria and Germany from 24 December, while Danone products were withdrawn from sale in January before public recalls were issued. Nestle strongly contested that allegation.

Prosecutors in the French cities of Bordeaux and Angers have ruled out a link between the deaths of infants and recalled formula products. Another investigation opened in Meaux was transferred to Paris, Radio France said.