Luxembourg Pulls Infant Formula from Shelves in Safety Alert

Luxembourg health and food safety authorities have issued a major recall of baby milk formulas after an ingredient used in many products was found to be contaminated with a toxin called cereulide, produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The recall affects 31 different infant formula products from various brands sold in Luxembourg since early January, and officials are urging parents not to use these products under any circumstances.

The contaminated ingredient is an omega-6 fatty acid oil rich in arachidonic acid (ARA), which is added to many formulas to resemble components of breast milk. This toxin can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain within hours of ingestion, and is notably not destroyed by cooking or boiling, making product removal from shelves critical.

The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) is working closely with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other EU member states to track and remove all affected batches through the European rapid alert system, because the same contaminated ingredient may have been supplied to several manufacturers across Europe.

So far, no confirmed widespread illnesses among infants have been reported in Luxembourg, though authorities are monitoring the situation closely with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). A suspected single case of illness potentially linked to the contamination has been investigated, but health officials say the overall risk remains low while caution is maintained.

Parents are advised to check the specific product and batch numbers on official recall lists published on the Luxembourg food safety portal or the LU-Alert app and to consult a doctor immediately if symptoms occur after feeding an affected product.

Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+29-rappel-laits-infantiles.html

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