A major recall of infant formula products is expanding across Europe, involving well-known brands such as Swiss-based Nestle S.A., France's Danone, and Lactalis. The situation has escalated following reports of multiple infant deaths suspected to be linked to contaminated formula. Official investigations have yet to establish a direct causal relationship between the products and the fatalities.

Nestle S.A. initially appeared confident in its handling of the situation, describing its recall on its Chinese website as a "preventive, voluntary retrieval" taken purely as a precaution when no illness reports were available. However, a month later, with deaths reported, the public health issue has entered legal territory. Industry insiders suggest that the term "preventive voluntary recall" lacks credibility while investigations are ongoing and may even downplay the severity of the situation.

In France, multiple cases of infant illness have emerged. Health authorities launched an investigation after Nestle S.A. decided to recall products in several European countries earlier this year. Brands affected in France include Guigoz and Nidal, recalled due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes severe complications.

Last month, the first infant death was reported, prompting serious epidemiological and food safety investigations. No definitive causal link has been confirmed between the recalled formula and the illnesses or deaths. A Nestle S.A. spokesperson previously stated that there was no indication connecting the tragedies to their products.

Recently, a fourth death was reported—an eight-month-old girl. Toulouse prosecutors are considering both sudden infant death syndrome and a potential link to formula consumption. Although the formula she consumed was not from recently recalled batches, France's food safety laboratory has begun testing.

In Belgium, the situation is more clearly defined. Authorities have recalled 24 infant formula products, with five confirmed cases of Bacillus cereus toxin poisoning in Flanders. Infants showed symptoms shortly after consumption, though most recover quickly after discontinuing use. Symptoms can include dizziness, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, posing greater risks to newborns.

The scale of recalls is unprecedented. France's Conso platform, which lists all official recalls, shows 33 infant formula recalls in the past two months alone—surpassing the total of the past 15 years. The first recall notice on December 11 involved Nestle S.A.'s Guigoz brand for infants 0–6 months, citing Bacillus cereus.

Since early January, Danone has also recalled several batches of brands like Gallia, Blédilait, and Aptamil across multiple countries due to potential toxin contamination. Lactalis recalled six batches of its Picot brand in 18 countries.

French health authorities now urge parents to retain formula packaging if a child shows symptoms, for possible testing. While hospitalized infants have recovered, no direct scientific evidence yet confirms a link between the illnesses and the formula. Further testing and autopsy results are awaited for conclusive findings.

Quentin Guillemain, head of the Children's Health Alliance, expressed concern that recalls may be insufficient and that infant formula safety is not being adequately managed, despite official assurances.