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Rabat – A contamination involving cereulide, a dangerous bacterial toxin, has shaken the baby formula market since mid-December 2025. Several brands have recalled products worldwide, safety rules have been tightened, and investigations are underway into infant hospitalizations and deaths. Authorities and manufacturers are now facing criticism for reacting too slowly.
Stricter safety standards came into force on Monday after at least five infants who consumed the affected formulas were hospitalized, though all have since been discharged, according to the Ministry of Health.
France lowered the maximum tolerated level of cereulide in baby formula. Following this, two brands announced new recalls. Popote recalled two batches of first-stage infant milk, while Vitagermine (Babybio) recalled three batches. The company said the products met previous standards but no longer comply with the stricter rules.
Various providers, including parapharmacies, sell Babybio products in Morocco, but it is unclear if they will remove the product.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacteria Bacillus cereus. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can be dangerous for newborns.
French authorities and several manufacturers have pointed to a Chinese supplier, Cabio Biotech, which produces an omega-6-rich oil used in infant formula. This ingredient is suspected of being contaminated with the bacteria that produces cereulide.
Manufacturers say the toxin is rare and difficult to detect, and that some recalls were carried out “as a precaution.” However, consumer group Foodwatch strongly disagrees.
“Cereulide has no place in baby formula,” Foodwatch said. The organization filed a complaint last week alongside eight families, accusing manufacturers of delaying recalls.
French health authorities are currently investigating two infant deaths involving babies who consumed some of the affected formulas.
Around 40 reports of sick infants have been recorded by regional health agencies. Of the 30 cases reviewed, authorities said the formulas consumed were not among those officially recalled. Officials also noted that many infants are currently suffering from gastroenteritis for other reasons.
Among the remaining cases, it is unclear whether six infants consumed recalled products. Five babies were hospitalized after consuming affected formulas, but authorities say no direct connection has been established so far.
The first recalls were launched by Nestlé in mid-December, after cereulide was detected at one of its factories in the Netherlands. Other major producers, including Danone and Lactalis, followed, along with smaller brands.
Nestlé says it applied a zero-tolerance policy from the start and recalled all products where the toxin was detected, even below current safety thresholds.
Foodwatch has also accused French authorities of acting too slowly. The Directorate General for Food (DGAL) said it chose targeted recalls rather than a general withdrawal to avoid shortages.
The DGAL confirmed it was informed of the contamination on December 10, around 10 days after Nestlé first detected the toxin.
Inspections carried out in December revealed further problems. Out of 31 pharmacies checked in France, around 10% had not removed recalled baby formula from their shelves.
A second, larger inspection campaign was launched in January. Authorities say serious failures are now less frequent, but some non-compliant cases are still being found.
