Infant Formula Nestlé Recall: 0-6 Months Risk Triggers Global Food Safety Alarm

The NGO Foodwatch has publicly challenged multinational corporation Nestlé, demanding answers over the recent recall of infant formula in Europe, citing an “unacceptable risk for newborns.”

The food-safety campaigning group accused the Swiss giant on Monday of providing “very vague” communication regarding its responsibility and the “scope of the affair” following the precautionary recall of powdered baby milk.

Nestlé, for its part, maintained it had taken “all necessary steps” to support parents, stating it chose to “act quickly to guarantee the safety of babies” as soon as a potential risk was detected.

European-Wide Action

Foodwatch claims its own checks revealed the formula, produced at the Nunspeet plant in the Netherlands, has been recalled in eight other European countries beyond the initial French notice.

The association is asking Nestlé to explain the discrepancy in dates, noting the product had been “commercialised since 22 October, that is, for almost two months.”

The group also took issue with the level of detail Nestlé provided on the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), which allows EU member states to share information on product recalls.

Nestlé countered this by stating that information on the recall status is available on the European site, which currently notes a product recall in Italy and Denmark, and a warning in Spain and Poland.

Precautionary Recall

Last week, Nestlé initiated a voluntary precautionary recall in France for one lot of Guigoz Optipro Relais 1 powdered milk for infants aged 0 to 6 months (800g boxes). The action followed the detection of the micro-organism Bacillus cereus on a production line.

The French government’s product recall site, Rappel Conso, advised consumers not to use boxes bearing the number 52820346AB, which were sold in various supermarkets, pharmacies, parapharmacies, and on Amazon.

Health Concerns

Toxi-infections caused by Bacillus cereus can result in two types of symptoms, according to Rappel Conso:

• Diarrhoea: Often accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes fever, appearing 8 to 16 hours after ingesting the contaminated food.
• Vomiting: Occurring within 5 hours of consumption.

The site also notes that these symptoms can be “aggravated in sensitive or immunocompromised individuals.”

Nestlé’s Response

Nestlé insists the action is “strictly a precautionary measure” and that it “immediately informed” authorities.

The company stated that “more than 50% of the involved stock has already been recovered” and the recall is ongoing.

It also confirmed that “no confirmed cases of illness have been reported up to the present.” The company provides a hotline on its website to answer consumer questions.

Source: Defi Media