Overview
- France’s agriculture ministry said the Lactalis and earlier Nestlé recalls trace to a raw material from the same manufacturer in China, identified by Foodwatch as an arachidonic acid supplier.
- Lactalis said affected products were pulled in 16 countries, including France, China, Australia and Mexico, and noted the suspect ingredient was supplied via a European wholesaler.
- The toxin at issue is cereulide, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and, in rare cases, severe poisoning; risk assessors note it forms when bacteria grow under favorable food conditions.
- Consumer group Foodwatch announced legal action to force transparency, arguing there are very few global ARA suppliers and accusing Nestlé of slow and opaque recalls.
- Nestlé subsidiaries recalled batches in about 60 countries earlier this month and its France chief apologized, while Singapore authorities pulled some Danone Dumex pallets and shares in Paris fell more than five percent.