foodwatch on cereulide thresholds in infant milk formula by EFSA : “Cereulide has no place in infant formula – it is illegal to market products that expose babies to health risks”
- politics and law
- Transparency and food safety
In the scandal surrounding contaminated baby food, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) plans to publish a scientific advice today. Manufacturers such as Nestlé are trying to appease consumers by arguing that there is no harmonised standard in Europe for the toxin cereulide, criticises foodwatch. The European consumer organisation does not accept this excuse. Manufacturers of baby food are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe, says foodwatch:
“This scandal is not a problem of detection thresholds, as multinationals would have us believe, in an attempt to absolve themselves of responsibility. Cereulide has no place in infant formula. It is illegal to market products that expose babies to health risks. This is clearly stated in European and national regulations. Focusing attention on this threshold is a diversionary tactic. Companies are indeed responsible for the safety of the products they market. On this crucial point, they have failed, hence foodwatch's complaint.
There is no European standard on the presence of mouse droppings in infant formula either. Nevertheless, it is prohibited and companies must ensure that their products are free of such substances and are completely safe for infants.
The EFSA advice will help harmonised and faster action in the future, but this does not change the fact that Cereulide should not be present in the first place and that General Food Law (EU regulation 178/2002) places responsibility for safety and traceability on food operators.”
Sources and additional information:
- foodwatch letter to Nestlé, 21/01/2026
- Infant formula recalls: foodwatch files criminal complaint and supports families of sick babies (Press Release, 29 January 2026)
- Global recall of Nestlé baby food: foodwatch criticizes lack of transparency from Nestlé and food authorities (foodwatch press release, 7 January 2026)