In a startling revelation, Swiss food giant Nestlé has admitted to a concerning delay in its response to a health risk tied to its baby milk. The company found traces of cereulide, a bacterial toxin that can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, in its infant formula produced at a factory in the Netherlands.
The trouble began in late November when routine checks revealed “very low levels” of cereulide following the installation of new equipment at the facility. However, rather than immediately informing authorities, Nestlé opted to wait for a health-risk analysis—a decision that would prolong the safety concerns for parents across Europe.
On December 10, more than a week later, Nestlé finally notified Dutch and European authorities, triggering a precautionary recall involving 25 batches of products across 16 countries. This decision came on the heels of a harrowing report by French newspaper Le Monde, which indicated that the toxin had been detected ten days before the first recall announcements.
Nestlé has maintained that the recall was prompted by a “quality issue,” emphasizing that they have found no evidence linking their products to illnesses.
These claims come amid a backdrop of investigations by French authorities, who are closely examining the tragic deaths of two infants, suspected to have ingested possibly contaminated powdered milk.
While Nestlé insists there is no direct connection between these unfortunate incidents and their products, the unease among parents remains palpable. As the company continues to navigate this sensitive situation, the impact of its delay raises significant questions about food safety and corporate responsibility.