The Global Consumers Forum’s International Coordinator Dr Sumesh T Maharaj has urged all government authorities to take immediate action to clearly declare the safety of infant formula products in order to regain the trust and confidence of parents worldwide.
The appeal comes as the global infant formula industry faces unprecedented scrutiny following a wave of recalls across more than 70 countries, triggered by concerns over contamination with cereulide—a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and poses particular risks to infants.
The situation has escalated after French authorities confirmed investigations into the deaths of two infants in Europe who reportedly consumed infant formula later recalled due to potential cereulide contamination. While health authorities have stated that no direct causal link has yet been scientifically established, the cases have intensified public concern and shaken confidence in infant nutrition products.
Most recently, French dairy giant Lactalis announced a voluntary recall of six batches of its Picot infant milk after the possible presence of cereulide in an ingredient supplied by a third-party supplier. The recall affects France and at least 16 other countries, including Australia, China, Spain, Mexico, Greece, Taiwan and Peru. Lactalis stated that no illness linked to its products has been reported so far, but acknowledged the anxiety caused among parents.
The Lactalis recall follows earlier actions by Swiss food major Nestlé, which has recalled infant formula batches in nearly 60 countries since the beginning of January. French food giant Danone has also been impacted, with authorities in Singapore ordering precautionary recalls of selected Dumex and Nestlé formula batches after detecting cereulide, although some affected products had not yet reached retail shelves.
In addition to the deaths under investigation in France, authorities in Belgium confirmed that a baby fell ill in January 2026 after consuming contaminated Nestlé infant formula. The infant suffered vomiting and watery diarrhoea but later recovered, with laboratory tests confirming cereulide contamination. The affected batch was part of a nationwide recall.
According to the Global Consumers Forum, the cumulative effect of these recalls, illnesses and deaths has left millions of parents confused, stressed and fearful about whether infant formula products currently available on the market are safe to use. Parents who rely on formula—due to medical, nutritional or personal reasons—are now questioning daily feeding decisions, often with little guidance beyond recall notices.
“Parents are under immense psychological pressure. Infant formula is not a discretionary product; it is essential nutrition,” the International Coordinator Dr Sumesh T Maharaj said, stressing that fragmented recall announcements without coordinated government communication have worsened public anxiety.
Consumer groups also point to the historical context, noting that Lactalis was previously involved in a major salmonella outbreak in 2018, which led to the recall of 12 million tins of baby formula from more than 80 countries, raising long-standing concerns about supply chain oversight and ingredient traceability.
The Global Consumers Forum is now calling on governments, food safety authorities and international regulators to:
“Without decisive and unified action, the trust deficit will only widen,” Dr Sumesh T Maharaj warned. “Parents deserve reassurance grounded in evidence, not uncertainty driven by repeated recalls.”
As investigations continue across Europe and beyond, consumer advocates emphasize that restoring confidence in infant nutrition will require not only timely recalls when risks emerge, but also visible regulatory leadership to reassure families that the systems designed to protect infants are working effectively.