Since last November, more than 60 countries have been placed on high alert following reports indicating that milk products manufactured by major global companies contain toxic substances harmful to children. This has resulted in the recall of hundreds of products across various nations and the initiation of legal investigations.
The crisis began in November 2025 when Nestlé discovered the presence of “cereulide,” a toxin produced by the *Bacillus cereus* bacterium, in products manufactured in the Netherlands. As a precautionary measure, the company dismantled production lines to inspect equipment and recalled all products produced after the installation of new machinery. In coordination with affected countries, Nestlé withdrew 25 batches of products from 16 European nations. Subsequent investigations revealed that the contamination stemmed from a mixture of oils used in infant milk production across several plants, specifically involving arachidonic acid sourced from China. This discovery led to the widespread recall of Nestlé products such as “SMA,” “PediaSure,” “NAN,” “Guigoz,” “Nidale,” and “Alfaminino,” alongside products from other companies including Danone’s “Aptamil” and “Cow & Gate,” and “Lactalis” and “Babybio.” The recall encompasses over 800 products from 10 Nestlé factories, marking the largest in the company’s history. Symptoms of cereulide poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, appearing between 30 minutes and 6 hours after consumption. This contamination disrupts fluid and electrolyte balance in infants, particularly those under six months old. European nations reported cases of diarrhea in infants, with 36 suspected clinical cases recorded in the United Kingdom. In France, authorities are investigating three potential deaths linked to these products, although a definitive causal link has not yet been established, according to a joint assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on February 19, 2026. Nestlé advised parents to avoid purchasing the affected products, report any symptoms to health authorities, and seek refunds.
In November 2025, the American company “ByHeart” recalled all its products due to contamination by *Clostridium botulinum* type A, which causes infant botulism. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched investigations into outbreaks of infant botulism across multiple states, prompting the company to initiate a global recall. Consequently, 61 infants across 19 U.S. states were affected, admitted to hospitals, and exhibited symptoms including constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and breathing difficulties.
Concurrently, reports indicated that the French company Danone recalled batches of “Aptamil” milk in several markets. The company removed three batches of “Aptamil” in Germany to contain contamination linked to the broader industry issue. In January of this year, France lowered the maximum allowable limit for cereulide in infant milk to strengthen protective measures following the recall of major companies’ products due to potential contamination.
The recalls have raised concerns about shortages of this essential commodity for many families. To mitigate this, Nestlé has increased production by running its factories 24 hours a day. Infant milk accounts for approximately 5 percent of Nestlé’s Swiss revenue and 21 percent of Danone’s French revenue, leading to a 5.5 percent drop in Danone’s stock since the beginning of the year. Investors are pressuring Danone to assess the financial impact of the product recalls.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated in a report on Thursday that the probability of exposure to contaminated products has decreased due to the extensive measures implemented in the European Union. As of February 13, seven European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United Kingdom, reported cases of children suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming the affected milk.
