French authorities have launched a formal investigation into the tragic deaths of two infants in France, both of whom had consumed baby formula products that were subject to major precautionary recalls earlier this month. The French health ministry confirmed on Friday that examinations are ongoing, though officials stress no direct causal link has yet been scientifically established.
Details of the Cases Under Investigation
One of the infants died in the town of Pessac, located in southwestern France. The Bordeaux prosecutor's office confirmed that this baby had been fed Guigoz powder milk, a product manufactured by the Swiss multinational food and drink giant, Nestlé. An official investigation into the possible cause of this death is now actively underway.
The specific infant formula consumed by the second baby, whose death occurred in Angers in western France, has not yet been publicly identified. The offices of the public prosecutor in Angers did not respond to requests for comment regarding this case.
Major Precautionary Recalls by Dairy Giants
This development follows significant product recalls initiated by both Nestlé and the privately-owned French dairy group Lactalis. Both companies recalled batches of infant milk sold in France due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin known to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
In a statement, the French health ministry noted, "Two reports of infant deaths have been brought to the attention of the health authorities, involving children who were reported to have consumed the infant formula affected by the recalls. To date, no causal link has been scientifically established."
The ministry emphasised that the launch of such an inquiry is a standard procedural step following the suspicious death of a baby. "Further analyses are underway and these cases are being investigated by the relevant public prosecutors," the statement added.
Company Responses and Global Recall Scale
Nestlé acknowledged the ongoing inquiries in an email to Reuters, stating, "As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products."
Lactalis, the world's largest dairy group, stated it had not received any direct reports from health authorities regarding the deaths. The recall efforts have been extensive. Lactalis recalled baby milk products across 18 countries, while Nestlé's recall affected dozens of nations.
Another major French food corporation, Danone, also took precautionary action, blocking a batch of infant formula specifically manufactured for the Singaporean market. All three companies have described their steps as purely precautionary measures.
Source of Contamination Identified
The French farm ministry provided a significant update on Wednesday, indicating that its investigations had identified the likely source of the contamination. Officials pointed to an oil rich in arachidonic acid (ARA), which was produced by a Chinese supplier, as the probable origin of the problem.
The ministry also stated that the results of a first judicial inquiry are expected within the coming ten days, which may provide further clarity on the situation and the ongoing investigations into the two infant deaths.
