French Investigations Continue into Infant Deaths Potentially Linked to Nestlé Formula

Investigations are ongoing in France after the deaths of several infants who had consumed powdered infant formula produced by Nestlé. The cases center around potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacterium.

Investigations in Bordeaux and Angers

Criminal investigations were launched in January 2026 in Bordeaux and Angers to determine the causes of death of two infants who had been fed Guigoz brand formula recalled due to potential Bacillus cereus contamination.

In Bordeaux, a baby born on December 25, 2025, died on January 8 after being fed the recalled formula between January 5 and 7. In Angers, the mother of a 27-day-old girl who died on December 23, 2025, alerted investigators to a can of Guigoz formula given to her baby.

According to lawyers Sophie Lodeho and Pascal Rouiller, an “abnormal” dose of cereulide toxin was found in infant milk consumed by the infant who died in Angers, though a direct link to the death has not yet been established. Angers prosecutor Éric Bouillard has stated the investigation is ongoing and further analysis is needed. Lemonde.fr reports.

Cereulide Toxin and Formula Recalls

Cereulide is a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. The presence of Bacillus cereus in powdered infant formula led to recalls of numerous batches of Guigoz formula beginning in mid-December 2025. Reuters reported on March 6, 2026, that a French probe into a baby death in Bordeaux did not show a link with the recalled formula.

The recalls expanded to include other manufacturers, such as Danone and Lactalis, as well as smaller companies, across approximately sixty countries. The BMJ notes that Danone also recalled Aptamil First Infant Formula due to the presence of cereulide.

Recent Developments

In late February 2026, a link between infant milk poisoning and a baby hospitalized in Montpellier, France, was confirmed, though authorities clarified that this did not definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Beaconbio.org provides further details on the investigation.

Ongoing Concerns

The investigations highlight concerns about safety checks in the production of powdered infant formula and have prompted calls for tighter regulations. The investigations are still in progress, and authorities continue to analyze samples and gather information to determine the cause of the infant deaths and prevent future incidents.