A French food and beverage company, Vitagermine, has voluntarily recalled specific batches of its Babybio infant formula as a precautionary measure amid ongoing concerns about possible contamination in baby formula products. The recall follows similar actions this month by major global manufacturers, including Nestlé and Danone, and reflects heightened vigilance from regulators and manufacturers over infant nutrition safety.
Vitagermine announced that it is withdrawing three specific batches of its Babybio Optima 1 infant formula, a product intended for newborns, from the market. The company stated that new investigations and recent recommendations from food authorities prompted the decision, although it did not disclose details about the exact contaminant or toxin involved.
The recall is intended to be strictly precautionary, and Vitagermine emphasised that it affects only limited batches of the Optima 1 product. The company also cited “changes in authorities’ recommendations” as a factor in its decision.
Earlier in January 2026, Swiss food giant Nestlé announced a global recall of some baby formula products, including specific batches of its SMA and other infant formulas. The recall was based on the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of the Bacillus cereus bacterium, which can cause vomiting and stomach cramps. No illnesses had been confirmed in association with the recalled products at the time of the announcement.
The initial recall affected multiple markets across Europe and beyond and was described by Nestlé as a precautionary action taken to prioritise infant health and safety.
French consumer goods company Danone also took action after some infant formula batches were flagged by food safety authorities, including the Singapore Food Agency, which recommended precautionary withdrawal of certain products. Although Danone stated that internal quality checks did not identify abnormalities, it cooperated with regulators in blocking and recalling specific batches while investigations continued.
Other French companies such as Lactalis have also initiated recalls. Lactalis voluntarily withdrew six batches of its Picot brand infant milk in multiple countries due to potential toxin contamination concerns linked to an ingredient sourced from a supplier. The withdrawal affected markets across Europe, Asia and other regions.
In addition, reports indicate that other smaller infant formula brands, such as Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition, have pulled batches in Switzerland, and additional companies have undertaken precautionary actions in response to the same safety alert.
These recalls have occurred in the context of a broader industry safety alert relating to cereulide contamination, which arises from certain strains of bacteria that can produce heat-resistant toxins. The bacteria Bacillus cereus may contaminate raw ingredients, and the toxin it produces cannot be reliably eliminated by routine heat treatment alone.
Infant formula products are closely monitored because infants are among the most medically vulnerable populations, and food-borne contaminants can pose serious health risks. Regulatory agencies and manufacturers typically issue precautionary recalls when contamination risk is detected, even when no confirmed illnesses have been reported, to protect infant health.
(Rh)
