DUBLIN, Ireland: Infant milk formula batches produced by French food and beverage maker Danone were being recalled from targeted markets due to a contamination scare from cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.
The scare initially began with Nestle products, and, apart from Danone, privately owned Lactalis also announced a recall of batches of baby formula.
"Danone will withdraw from targeted markets a minimal number of specific batches of infant formula products," the company said in a statement. A person familiar with the matter said the affected markets were mainly in Europe.
Danone said its products are still safe to use and that the recall is only a precautionary measure because some countries changed their food safety rules. Nestlé said its recall affects products in nearly 70 countries.
Ireland's Food Safety Authority (FSAI) said the recall is because of possible contamination with cereulide, a harmful toxin. The toxin was found in an ingredient used in baby formula, called arachidonic acid oil, which was made in China.
The FSAI said the affected products were made in Ireland and sent to several EU countries, the UK, and other countries. However, Danone told the FSAI that none of these products were sold in Ireland.
Cereulide can be deadly. French investigators are looking into the deaths of two babies who drank baby formula that was recalled earlier this month, according to France's health ministry.
