France investigating 2 baby deaths linked to Nestlé; Formula maybe made in Netherlands
The French authorities are investigating whether the death of two babies could be linked to Nestlé formula. Both babies were fed formula for which the company issued a global recall early this month. According to NOS, the formula may have been produced, at least in part, at Nestlé’s Dutch factory.
On January 5, Nestlé issued a safety warning for baby formula from multiple brands due to the possible presence of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can produce a toxin that causes food poisoning. The recall applies in 63 countries, including the Netherlands.
On Thursday, the French Public Prosecution Service revealed that criminal investigations had been opened into the deaths of two babies, the local newspaper Le Monde reported. The first involves a baby born in Bordeaux on December 25, 2025, who died on January 8. The second case involves a 27-day-old baby who died on December 23 in Angers. Her mother contacted investigators two days ago to report that her baby had also been fed on recalled formula. In both cases, it involved the brand Guigoz.
In the Netherlands, there have been four reports of babies falling ill after consuming recalled formula. Nestlé stressed that the link with the formula has not been confirmed.
Food watchdog Foodwatch has criticized Nestlé and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) for acting too slowly with this recall. According to Foodwatch, Nestlé reported the contamination to the NVWA on December 9, but the NVWA and many other countries waited nearly a month before issuing public warnings.
“It is unacceptable that information is released to us in dribs and drabs. Almost a month passed before these massive infant formula recalls by Nestlé, yet traceability, particularly for baby products, should be immediate,” said Nicole van Gemert, director of Foodwatch Netherlands.
Nestlé says that the contamination stems from a tainted raw material. According to broadcaster NOS, the raw material appears to have been supplied by China, and the baby formula may have been produced, at least in part, at Nestlé’s Dutch factory.
According to Foodwatch, it is unacceptable that neither the source nor the supply chain has been fully traced. “This shows that the EU’s food traceability system is failing - particularly concerning for products intended for babies.”
“Stronger enforcement of food safety laws is urgently needed. Companies that delay public warnings or withhold critical safety information must face real, deterrent sanctions. So far, the consequences for such violations have been far too lenient,” Foodwatch said.
