France Confirms First Cereulide Detection in Infant Tied to Recalled Formula

Overview

• A 24-day-old infant hospitalized on 6–7 February in Montpellier after consuming Gallia Calisma (Danone) tested positive for the cereulide toxin in stool analyses.
• Belgium’s Sciensano laboratory reported concentrations above the EU/France acute reference dose of 0.014 microgram per kilogram, according to results transmitted to the Health Ministry.
• The ministry confirmed exposure to the toxin and noted that assessing whether it caused the child’s symptoms requires a formal expert review.
• France is sending samples to Sciensano because domestic laboratories are not authorized or equipped to detect cereulide at the relevant risk thresholds.
• Recalls by major manufacturers including Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis span more than 60 countries; three infant deaths have been reported in France without an established causal link, and five judicial investigations targeting several brands are underway.