France lowered safety limits for a toxin called cereulide that is linked to vomiting and diarrhea<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, Feb. 3, 2026 (HealthDay News) \u2014 Several baby formula brands are pulling products from stores after France lowered the allowed level of a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.<\/p>\n
On Monday, French companies Popote<\/a> and Vitagermine<\/a> removed five batches of infant formula following the rule change. Popote recalled two lots, while Vitagermine pulled three, saying it acted to \u201cbetter ensure the safety of infants.\u201d<\/p>\n The move follows a wave of formula recalls across more than 60 countries since December, involving major manufacturers such as Nestl\u00e9, Danone and Lactalis amid concerns that the products could be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin made by certain bacteria.<\/p>\n France\u2019s agriculture ministry last week cut the acceptable daily exposure to cereulide, from 0.03 to 0.014 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.<\/p>\n That new limit matches a maximum offered this week by the European Food Safety Authority, which said the change is meant to help officials decide when products should be removed \u201cas a precautionary public health measure.\u201d<\/p>\n The updated maximum translates to 0.054 micrograms of cereulide per liter of infant formula, Yahoo<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Vitagermine said its products met earlier, less strict standards but were pulled once the rules changed. Popote said it removed its formula without waiting for the new European regulations.<\/p>\n So far, no direct link has been confirmed between the recalled formulas and the deaths of two infants in France in December and January.<\/p>\n Authorities are still investigating, however.<\/p>\n Some advocates say even small amounts of cereulide should not be tolerated.<\/p>\n “Cereulide should not be there at all in the first place,” said Foodwatch<\/a>, a European consumer group, arguing that baby products should never expose infants to health risks.<\/p>\n The recalls have also drawn attention to Cabio Biotech<\/a>, a China-based company that supplies ARA oil, a fatty acid used mainly in infant formula and food products. Several brands said they pulled products after alerts tied to ingredients from the supplier.<\/p>\n Cabio Biotech has not publicly responded to claims that its ingredient may be contaminated.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n ScienceDirect has more on cereulide<\/a>.<\/p>\n