Infant formula recall: foodwatch comment on the Joint ECDC–EFSA Rapid Outbreak Assessment

foodwatch issues the following comment in response to the Joint ECDC–EFSA Rapid Outbreak Assessment published 19 February 2026 (links below):

The joint assessment by the ECDC and EFSA directly contradicts manufacturers’ claims that “no cases of illness have been confirmed” (statement made by Nestlé’s CEO). Seven countries — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain and the United Kingdom — have reported infants experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming infant formula. It is time to stop denying the seriousness of this situation.

Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg and the UK have established a link and reported cases associated with the consumption of products in which cereulide was detected. 

foodwatch strongly disagrees with the consumer advice included in the ECDC–EFSA assessment

“Recalled products should (…) be returned to the point of sale,” the ECDC–EFSA assessment states. foodwatch, on the other hand, calls on parents who suspect their child’s symptoms may be linked to the consumption of recalled infant formula to keep the milk tins and, of course, to stop feeding the product to their baby immediately.

Even after symptoms have disappeared, the toxin may still be detected in reconstituted powdered milk, as confirmed by the Belgian laboratory to which French authorities also send samples for analysis. Evidence should not be discarded or destroyed, as manufacturers would prefer.

Recalls came far too late and were poorly managed

In this case, large-scale recalls came far too late. They began only in January 2026, even though Nestlé had been aware of the presence of the cereulide toxin since November 2025.

In addition, national authorities minimised the issue or communicated only minimally. The chaotic organisation of recalls — sometimes implemented in stages, with additional recalls by Danone, Lactalis, Babybio and others at the end of January and throughout February — further increased parents’ anxiety, as recall lists were updated gradually and inconsistently.

“Confirming cases can be challenging” and the “likelihood of exposure is now low”, say the ECDC–EFSA

Negligence and delays in recalls have led to unexplained hospitalisations of infants, sometimes as early as late 2025 — well before product recalls were initiated. This meant a crucial opportunity to establish the link immediately was missed. This is extremely serious.

Parents eventually changed milk brands and symptoms disappeared, although some infants continued to experience stomach pain. foodwatch has collected many testimonies across Europe. Some babies are reportedly so traumatised that they refuse to drink from a bottle.

Manufacturers should never have placed products on the market that expose infants to health risks. The law is meant to protect consumers. Yet transparency remains lacking regarding the monitoring of Nestlé’s Chinese supplier.

Ultimately, products potentially contaminated with cereulide were distributed to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Legal proceedings underway

The European consumer organisation foodwatch has filed a complaint in this case. A judicial investigation has been underway in France since 30 January 2026, targeting Nestlé, Lactalis and Danone, among others.

Investigations are also underway into the deaths of three newborn babies in France.

Sources:

•    EFSA and ECDC rapid outbreak assessment on cereulide incident: likelihood of exposure low
•    Joint ECDC–EFSA Rapid Outbreak Assessment: Multi-country foodborne event caused by cereulide in infant formula products (19 February 2026)
•    14/02/2026 Infant formula: judicial investigation launched following complaint by foodwatch
•    13/01/2026 Nestlé’s CEO (YouTube): “No cases of illness have been confirmed”