Five Belgian babies test positive in infant formula scare
Belgian health authorities said Tuesday that five infants in the Flemish region have tested positive for the bacterial toxin cereulide, the latest development in a multinational infant formula contamination crisis that has led to product recalls in more than 60 countries.
The affected babies, only a few months old, had consumed recalled Nestlé products and developed mild symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Flemish Department of Care. The items were part of a recall launched in Belgium on Jan. 5. On the same day, 24 French families filed a complaint against the French government and infant formula manufacturers, alleging negligence in the handling of the contamination.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has recorded reports of illness in several member states linked to the ongoing contamination event. Spain reported eight cases of infants with vomiting and gastrointestinal symptoms, five of whom required hospitalization, although none were confirmed through laboratory testing. France is investigating 11 infant hospitalizations, including five cases tied to confirmed consumption of recalled formula. Authorities in both countries noted that routine clinical testing for cereulide is uncommon, complicating efforts to determine a definitive case count.
In the United Kingdom, health officials had received 36 clinical notifications as of Feb. 3 involving infants who consumed recalled batches and developed symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning. Cases were reported in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
Investigators have traced the contamination to arachidonic acid oil, an omega-6 fatty acid added to infant formula, supplied by a Chinese manufacturer to several companies. Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis have all initiated recalls of affected products in what has become one of the largest infant nutrition recalls in recent years. Industry and media reports have identified Chinese firm Cabio Biotech as the suspected source.
On Feb. 2, the European Food Safety Authority issued a rapid risk assessment establishing an acute reference dose of 0.014 micrograms per kilogram of body weight for cereulide in infants. The new threshold prompted France to lower its national safety limits, triggering additional product withdrawals.
French authorities are also investigating the deaths of two infants who consumed recalled Nestlé formula, though no causal link has been established. Switzerland has begun reviewing potential cases connected to the contamination. Nestlé said it had not received formal notification from Flemish authorities regarding the five confirmed cases but stated it remained available to provide information as requested.
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