In a concerning development, French authorities have launched investigations into the deaths of two infants who had consumed baby formula products subject to recent precautionary recalls. The tragedies have raised alarm bells across the continent, prompting in-depth examinations by public prosecutors.
One of the deceased babies, from the southwestern French town of Pésac, had been fed Guigoz powder milk produced by the Swiss group Nestlé. The Bordeaux prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the possible cause of this fatality.
This development follows recalls by Nestlé and the privately owned French conglomerate Lactalis, who pulled batches of infant milk sold in France due to potential contamination with cereulide – a toxin known to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The specific formula consumed by the second infant has not yet been identified.
Despite the ongoing investigations, the French health ministry has emphasised that there is currently no evidence directly linking the infant deaths to the recalled baby formula products. Nestlé acknowledged the inquiries, stating: “As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products.”
Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy group, recalled baby milk items in 18 countries, while Nestlé and another French company, Danone, also blocked batches in dozens of markets. All three firms insisted these were precautionary measures.
The French agriculture ministry said on Wednesday that the results of an initial judicial inquiry were expected within the next 10 days. Their investigation has identified an oil rich in arachidonic acid, or ARA, produced by a Chinese supplier as the source of the contamination.
As the authorities work to uncover the truth, the tragic infant deaths have cast a sombre shadow over the European infant formula market, underscoring the critical need for robust safety standards and oversight to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
