Lactalis Initiates New Global Baby Formula Recall Over Cereulide Contamination

Lactalis Recalls Baby Formula Amid Cereulide Concerns

French dairy firm Lactalis has initiated a recall of six batches of its Picot-brand infant formula across 18 countries, including France, due to the presence of cereulide, a bacterial toxin. This move comes as part of a wider industry concern, with other major companies like Nestlé and Danone also recalling products linked to a contaminated ingredient from an international supplier.

The recall by Lactalis Nutrition Santé (LNS) was announced on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, and affects products sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. Cereulide, when ingested, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The contamination has been traced to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an ingredient commonly used in infant formula, sourced from an international supplier.

International Scope and Industry-Wide Impact

The current recall by Lactalis spans a significant global reach, impacting countries such as:

• Australia
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Congo
• Czech Republic
• Ecuador
• France
• Georgia
• Greece
• Kuwait
• Madagascar
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Peru
• Spain
• Taiwan
• Uzbekistan

This incident highlights a broader issue within the infant formula industry, as Nestlé had previously recalled batches of its infant nutrition products in dozens of countries earlier this month due to the same cereulide contamination. Danone has also been affected, with a product recall in Singapore.

Previous Contamination Incidents and Legal Ramifications

This is not the first time Lactalis has faced a major product recall due to contamination. In late 2017 and early 2018, the company was at the center of a significant international scandal involving Salmonella contamination in its powdered baby milk. That incident, originating from Lactalis's Craon factory in Mayenne, France, led to the sickness of at least 35 to 37 infants in France, Spain, and Greece. Approximately 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk, marketed under brands including Milumel, Picot, and Celi, were recalled from 83 countries.

The 2017-2018 Salmonella crisis resulted in criminal charges being filed against Lactalis Group and Celia Laiterie de Craon in February 2023. The charges included aggravated deception, involuntary injuries, and non-execution of withdrawal and recall measures. Investigations revealed that the same strain of Salmonella had been present at the Craon factory between 2005 and 2017.

Ongoing Investigations and Company Response

Lactalis has stated that it is voluntarily recalling the products and is fully cooperating with investigations. The company's spokesperson indicated that they 'acted without waiting for results of the investigations conducted at the supplier.' A judicial inquiry in France is also investigating a potential link between Nestlé milk and the death of a baby, with results expected soon, though no such link has been confirmed for Lactalis products in this current cereulide incident.