Two more brands of French infant formula have recalled batches due to their levels of the cereulide toxin, three days after France lowered the threshold limits and the European Commission is due to rule on its own acceptable levels.
Popote and Vitagermine, makers of Babybio, recalled batches of infant milk on Monday due to cereulide contamination, following similar recalls from Nestlé, Danone and dairy giant Lactalis
Popote said levels of cereulide in two batches were above the new, lower threshold announced by the Agriculture ministry on Friday.
Infant formula produced in France must now have less than 0.014 microgrammes of cereulide per kilogramme of weight, compared to 0.03 microgrammes previously.
French dairy giant Lactalis recalls baby milk over bacteria fears
The company said the toxin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, came from an omega-rich oil produced by Cabio Biotech.
The oil from the Chinese company is suspected to be the source of the contamination.
Vitagermine, which already recalled three babches of Babybio milk in January, said the three new batches are being recalled as a precaution, because they "conformed to the standards in place until last week”.
The presence of the toxin has triggered recalls in dozens of countries and raised concerns among parents.
Two judicial investigations are underway into the deaths of two babies who were given Nestlé milk that was later recalled, though a direct link between the symptoms and the milk consumed has yet to be established.
The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to make a decision Monday on a standard for cereulide in children's products.
(with newswires)
