After a first death in Bordeaux, a second baby died at the Angers University Hospital. Justice is now seeking to understand whether the consumption of infant milk is the cause of the death of this newborn.
A second drama which accentuates the health crisis
Indeed, this death occurs in a context of massive recall concerning the Guigoz, Nidal and Picot (Lactalis) brands. Today, after Nestlé and Lactalis, who recalled batches of infant milk due to possible contamination by bacteria Bacillus cereusit is Danone’s turn to announce, in a press release, “a targeted recall of certain batches of infant milk”Friday January 23. “In order to comply with the latest recommendations, Danone will withdraw, in certain targeted markets, a very limited number of specific batches of infant milk (…) The priority is to assure parents and healthcare professionals that they can continue to have full confidence in the safety and quality of our infant nutrition products.”specifies Danone.
In question: Arachidonic acid, crucial for the development of babies, is suspected of having been contaminated by an international supplier, probably located in China. Contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by bacteria Bacillus cereus.
The government wants to be reassuring by emphasizing that no causal link has been formally established to date. However, the increase in suspected cases places health authorities under close surveillance.
The flaws in the French control system
The case highlights a major gap in our food safety system. Currently, France does not have any national reference laboratory capable of analyzing powdered infant milk, nor a specialized center for the study of infant stools in this specific context, reports the Investigation Unit of Radio France.
This situation makes biological proof extremely complex to provide. Without this infrastructure, establishing a direct link between the toxin present in the box and the death of a child is a scientific challenge, further delaying the conclusions of current criminal investigations.
Cereulide: what are the real risks for babies?
Cereulide is a so-called “emetic” toxin, known to trigger sudden vomiting between 30 minutes and 5 hours after ingestion.
While infections are generally mild in adults, newborns and premature babies are at increased vulnerability.
ANSES recalls that fatal cases have already been documented in young children. The particularity of this crisis is that the bacteria itself is often destroyed by heat during the industrial process. The metabolite remains in the finished product.
Dr Sandra Brancato’s recommendations for parents
Faced with the anxiety of families, Dr Sandra Brancato, pediatrician and president of the AFPA, calls for rigorous vigilance.
“If you notice that the milk used by your child belongs to one of the batches in question, it is imperative to change it immediately, even if your infant appears to be in perfect health,” she explains.
In the event of symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, the situation can be complex to interpret. “We are currently in the midst of an epidemic of viral gastroenteritis, which can confuse diagnostic lines.”
Dr. Brancato therefore advises consulting a doctor quickly. “A stool culture can identify possible rotavirus in the stool, which would confirm a viral rather than toxic origin. she specifies.
Finally, it underlines the vital importance of hydration for sick children, whatever the cause of their condition. She emphasizes that “breastfeeding, naturally rich in fatty acids, should be favored” when possible. And also recalls that the causal link between the consumption of milk and the deaths of these two children has not yet been established.
What to do if you have a box of milk?
If you have powdered milk at home, here is the procedure to follow:
- Check the batch numbers on the official RappelConso website;
- Stop using immediately if the batch is affected, even if the box is opened;
- Monitor digestive signs (vomiting, discomfort) and contact 15 in the event of persistent symptoms.
It is essential to remain attentive to official communications and to seek medical advice as soon as the slightest digestive disorder appears in infants, so as not to confuse poisoning linked to cereulide with a simple winter pathology.