Danone Infant Formula Recalls Expand Across Multiple European Nations

Danone SA is facing a significant expansion of its recall efforts for infant formula products across various European countries, including the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The recall involves specific batches of the Aptamil and Cow & Gate formula brands in the UK and Ireland, and Nutrilon products in the Netherlands, due to concerns over contamination with the toxin cereulide.

These actions come after similar recalls were announced in Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland, with reports indicating that recalls are also underway in Romania, Hungary, and Poland. The contamination issue has been linked to arachidonic acid oil, an ingredient in infant formula, with the supplier identified as China's Cabio Biotech Wuhan Co.

The financial implications for Danone are substantial, with Bloomberg Intelligence estimating the cost of recalls to rise to €300 million, compared to an earlier estimate of €50 million. This situation highlights a broader contamination crisis affecting the industry, with other major companies like Nestlé SA and Groupe Lactalis also involved.

Danone initiated its first recall in mid-January in Singapore and expanded it following updated toxin guidelines from Irish authorities. The company has stated that it is undertaking a precautionary recall process and has implemented additional ingredient controls.

In the UK, health authorities have reported that 36 infants may have fallen ill due to the contaminated formula, although no fatalities have been recorded. The recalls are part of a larger issue with the infant formula industry, which has faced contamination scares and supply chain disruptions in recent years.

US investigators are also planning to test dairy-based ingredients used in baby formulas for botulism spores, following the ByHeart recall last year that resulted in 51 infant hospitalizations.