EU Drafting Legislation to Require Checks for Cereulide Toxin in Infant Formula
The European Commission (EC) is drafting an act that would introduce additional checks for the toxin cereulide in infant formula and special infant foods.
The pending legislation follows a high-profile, global recall of infant formulas due to cereulide contamination that occurred in early 2026. Products from multiple brands, including Nestlé, Danone, Lactalis Nutrition Santé, and others were affected. Tainted arachidonic acid (ARA) oil used as an ingredient, sourced from a common Chinese supplier, was determined to be the cause of cereulide contamination.
The EU has already taken several actions in response to the incident, including increasing controls on imports of AHA oil from China. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also established an acute reference dose (ARfD) for cereulide in infants and safety thresholds for the toxin in infant formula.
The forthcoming draft act on checks for cereulide in formulas will be opened for public comment prior to adoption, which is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
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