Text edited by Dimitris Symeonidis JP
Eleven RASFF notifications for the same problem and distribution in over 200 countries and territories reveal the unprecedented complexity of the global infant food chain and the risk of delayed information for the most vulnerable population group
The wave of infant formula recalls due to cereulide toxin is developing into one of the most extensive and complex food safety cases of recent years, both in terms of its geographical scope and in terms of the number and frequency of notifications. The European Rapid Alert System RASFF has recorded eleven notifications for the same problem, an extremely impressive and virtually unprecedented number, with warnings in hundreds of countries, and with daily updates. The companies involved are large multinationals with distribution in every corner of the planet: Nestlé, Danone, Lactalis, Vitagermine, Hochdorf, Granarolo.
The picture that emerges from the data is one of distribution on a truly global scale. Recalls and public warnings were not limited to the major trading hubs of Europe or Asia, but extended to every inhabited continent and hundreds of jurisdictions. From remote Pacific and Caribbean island territories such as Niue, Tokelau and Curaçao to the most inhospitable regions of the planet such as Antarctica and the French Southern Territories, the same product or batches of raw materials had reached almost everywhere. The fact that the distribution concerns over 200 distinct geographical entities, a number that even exceeds the officially recognized UN states, highlights the enormous complexity of the global infant formula market and the importance of immediate and coordinated information, especially when the product also ends up in areas with extremely limited health infrastructure.
The RASFF reflects a clear escalation from the end of December 2025 to today, February 4, with the common denominator being the possible or confirmed presence of cereulide either in the final product or in critical raw materials. The analytical results show cereulide concentrations that far exceed the indicative limit of 0,20 μg/kg, with values such as 10,7 ± 3,3 mg/kg, 6,2 ± 1,9 mg/kg and 0,93 ± 0,28 mg/kg.
The pressure on the recall system intensified further after the publication of EFSA’s rapid risk assessment on 2 February 2026, which redefined the acute reference dose for cereulide in infants, proposing a stricter safety level. The practical consequence was a lower tolerable toxin load in infant formula, which acted as a catalyst for further recalls and batch re-evaluations by national authorities and companies.
At Greece, the case came back to the fore with yesterday's extension of recall for additional batches of her baby milk Nestleé, stating that the specific batches were not included in the initial recall. At the same time, a recall decision had already been made by the EOF on January 7, 2026, following information from the company, which shows that the issue is being addressed at the level of market surveillance and not simply as a voluntary corporate move..
At the international level, the daily flow of announcements through RASFF, but also from national authorities and manufacturers, maintains a permanent climate of uncertainty for parents. These recalls bring back to the fore the limits but also the importance of control mechanisms in the global food chain, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable group of the population, infants. According to data from Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, The recalls are not related to the presence of live bacteria in the final product, but to possible contamination of raw materials with cereulide, a toxin produced by certain emetic strains of Bacillus cereus. This substance is particularly problematic, as it is not destroyed by heat treatment and can cause nausea and vomiting within half an hour to six hours after consumption. Although in most cases the symptoms subside within 24 hours, rare but serious cases with damage to vital organs and even deaths have been recorded.
Experts emphasize that in dry milk powder, bacterial growth and toxin production are not possible due to low humidity, but the risk increases when the product is reconstituted and left for hours at room temperature. This is why preparation instructions remain critical. However, the current case shows that even when microbiological specifications are met in the final product, contamination at an early stage of production can have global consequences when the supply chain is so extensive and interdependent.
Source:
photo Greek Radio FL
