Feb 25, 2026, 2:41 p.mFeb 25, 2026, 2:41 p.m
The European Union is tightening its border controls on a baby milk ingredient imported from China that has been linked to contamination by a toxin. From Thursday, EU customs authorities will have to inspect half of shipments of oil rich in arachidonic acid from China.
The bacterial toxin cereulide is poisonous.Image: KEYSTONE
This emerges from an EU decision published on Wednesday. Investigations in Europe have provided evidence that the oil of Chinese origin was the source of the contamination of milk powder with the bacterial toxin cereulide. The substance likely poses a serious health risk.
Several manufacturers, including the Swiss companies Nestlé and Hochdorf, as well as the French companies Danone and Lactalis, have recalled infant formula in more than 60 countries as a precautionary measure since December. Seven European countries and Switzerland reported possible cases of illness in babies with gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming such products.
In France, authorities are also investigating three deaths of infants who may have consumed contaminated milk powder. However, a scientific connection has not yet been proven. The Chinese company Cabio Biotech from Wuhan is considered to be the supplier of the affected ingredient. (sda/awp/afp)