Brussels – The European Commission has found no evidence that current EU regulations are inadequate, but remains committed to continuously reviewing procedures to improve food safety governance. This was set out in writing by the Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, in response to a parliamentary question regarding the recall of several batches of infant formula in Europe due to suspected cereulide contamination. A hot topic, especially after France began investigating two infant deaths potentially linked to the recalled formula: a case for which, clarified Várhelyi, no causal link has been established.
The Croatian Socialist MEP, Biljana Borzan,, tabled a question on this matter, “following recent Europe-wide recalls of infant formula due to suspected contamination with cereulide (a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus) and in light of ongoing investigations by the French authorities into infant deaths potentially linked to the consumption of the recalled products, serious concerns have arisen regarding the effectiveness of EU governance on food safety for products intended for the most vulnerable consumers.” In this context, the MEP asked the Commission when it was first informed of the suspected health risks and how and when this information was communicated to Member States via the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF); how it assesses the adequacy of current EU rules on ingredient sourcing, supplier monitoring, hazard analysis and notification obligations for infant formula manufacturers; and what immediate measures the Commission has taken to ensure full accountability throughout the infant formula supply chain.
The Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, responded on behalf of the European Commission. “On 10 December 2025, the European Commission was notified of cereulide contamination in products from a Nestlé facility in the Netherlands”, Várhelyi stated, adding that the company “recalled 25 batches across 16 European countries on the same day and treated the incident with the utmost seriousness”. The European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) “was issued on 12 December 2025,” the Commissioner noted, referring to the tool used by Member States to rapidly share information on food safety risks. The matter took on an even more sensitive dimension a few weeks later. “On 20 January 2026, the Commission was informed that France was investigating two infant deaths potentially linked to the recalled formula,” stated Várhelyi. At the same time, the Commissioner emphasised that “no causal link has been established since then.”
The question raises concerns about the robustness of the European food safety system and the ability of current regulations to promptly identify risks across the supply chain. According to the Commission, however, there is no evidence to suggest any structural shortcomings. “As soon as the Commission was informed of the voluntary recall linked to increased levels of cereulide found in infant formula, the various existing tools were activated to ensure cross-border coordination between the Member States’ competent food safety authorities,” explained Várhelyi. In particular, “the Commission has found no evidence that current EU rules are inadequate, but remains committed to continuously reviewing procedures to improve food safety governance,” he noted.
From a scientific perspective, the European Commission has also involved the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which provides scientific data and independent advice on potential risks in the food supply chain. The investigation into the possible source of the contamination also extends beyond the EU’s borders: the European Commission has urged the Chinese authorities to investigate batches of arachidonic acid oil. “In response to this incident, the Commission has stepped up coordination with Member States by sharing RASFF notifications and activating its network of crisis coordinators. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been urgently tasked with establishing an acute reference dose (ARfD) for cereulide to guide harmonised risk management. Furthermore, the Commission has urged the Chinese authorities to investigate the contaminated batches of arachidonic acid oil, identified as the source of the supply chain contamination,” the Commissioner clarified.
Finally, despite the political attention the case has attracted, Brussels does not currently plan a comprehensive review of European legislation on infant nutrition. “Although the Commission is not currently planning a comprehensive review of EU rules on infant nutrition,” concluded Várhelyi, the European executive “remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards through continuous monitoring and the improvement of existing measures.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
