France Confirms Second Infant Fatality in Tainted Formula Crisis

French authorities have reported a second infant death linked to a growing crisis involving tainted infant formula from major manufacturers, including Nestlé SA, Danone SA, and Groupe Lactalis.

Both infants consumed formula that has since been recalled, according to a statement from the French health ministry released late Thursday. However, health minister Stéphanie Rist clarified in an interview with BFM TV on Friday that no direct causal link has been established between the deaths and the affected products.

One of the infants consumed Nestlé’s recalled Guigoz formula in early January, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office in Bordeaux. Initial tests indicated that the formula did not contain Bacillus Cereus bacteria, which was associated with the recall. Authorities are currently awaiting results for the toxin cereulide and the autopsy findings.

Read more: Dairy Giants Rush to Recall Infant Formula After Expanding Contamination Scare

In addition, prosecutors in Angers, western France, are investigating the death of a second infant who also consumed the Nestlé formula, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The prosecutor’s office has not yet responded to inquiries from Bloomberg.

A spokesperson for Nestlé stated, “As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products. We are following developments with due attention and remain fully available to the authorities, cooperating with complete transparency.”

The crisis has impacted Nestlé significantly, with shares dropping as much as 1.4%, while Danone’s shares fell by as much as 1.7%. Nestlé has been the most affected manufacturer, recalling products from shelves in over 60 countries worldwide. Concerns escalated recently as Danone and Lactalis also initiated recalls due to potential contamination issues.

Lactalis has recalled six batches of its Picot brand infant formula in France, stemming from an issue related to an international supplier that affects 18 countries, including Spain. Meanwhile, Danone has removed one of its Dumex Dulac products at the request of Singapore’s food safety regulator, leading to a significant stock plunge on Wednesday—the largest drop in over three decades.

In Singapore, the food agency previously recalled five Nestlé products after the Swiss food group revealed that several brands, including BEBA, SMA, and Alfamino, were affected by the discovery of cereulide in arachidonic acid oil, an ingredient sourced from one of its suppliers.

Photograph: A bottle of milk prepared from infant formula. Photo credit: Giulia Marchi/Bloomberg

Topics
Auto

French authorities have reported a second infant death linked to a growing crisis involving tainted infant formula from major manufacturers, including Nestlé SA, Danone SA, and Groupe Lactalis.

Both infants consumed formula that has since been recalled, according to a statement from the French health ministry released late Thursday. However, health minister Stéphanie Rist clarified in an interview with BFM TV on Friday that no direct causal link has been established between the deaths and the affected products.

One of the infants consumed Nestlé’s recalled Guigoz formula in early January, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office in Bordeaux. Initial tests indicated that the formula did not contain Bacillus Cereus bacteria, which was associated with the recall. Authorities are currently awaiting results for the toxin cereulide and the autopsy findings.

Read more: Dairy Giants Rush to Recall Infant Formula After Expanding Contamination Scare

In addition, prosecutors in Angers, western France, are investigating the death of a second infant who also consumed the Nestlé formula, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The prosecutor’s office has not yet responded to inquiries from Bloomberg.

A spokesperson for Nestlé stated, “As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products. We are following developments with due attention and remain fully available to the authorities, cooperating with complete transparency.”

The crisis has impacted Nestlé significantly, with shares dropping as much as 1.4%, while Danone’s shares fell by as much as 1.7%. Nestlé has been the most affected manufacturer, recalling products from shelves in over 60 countries worldwide. Concerns escalated recently as Danone and Lactalis also initiated recalls due to potential contamination issues.

Lactalis has recalled six batches of its Picot brand infant formula in France, stemming from an issue related to an international supplier that affects 18 countries, including Spain. Meanwhile, Danone has removed one of its Dumex Dulac products at the request of Singapore’s food safety regulator, leading to a significant stock plunge on Wednesday—the largest drop in over three decades.

In Singapore, the food agency previously recalled five Nestlé products after the Swiss food group revealed that several brands, including BEBA, SMA, and Alfamino, were affected by the discovery of cereulide in arachidonic acid oil, an ingredient sourced from one of its suppliers.

Photograph: A bottle of milk prepared from infant formula. Photo credit: Giulia Marchi/Bloomberg

Topics
Auto