A toxic substance in infant milk powder - Severe warnings across Europe

Following the discovery of the toxic substance 'Cereulide' in infant formula products, steps have been taken to remove this leading global brand from the market. Accordingly, health authorities in Singapore and Europe have reportedly issued strong warnings to parents regarding this matter.

Situation in Singapore - Dumex products further withdrawn

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) yesterday (January 30) ordered the immediate withdrawal of Dumex Dulac Stage 1 and Dulac Stage 2 products from the market. This is the third withdrawal in Singapore during the month of January. Singaporean authorities state that three children have so far been reported to show symptoms due to exposure to the toxic substance.

Danone's decision that stirred Europe:

Danone, a leading global food manufacturing company, has taken steps to withdraw its Irish-made infant formula stocks from markets across Europe. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) states that brands such as Aptamil, Nutrilion, and Cow & Gate have been affected. According to preliminary investigations, the ARA oil ingredient used in the production of this infant formula is contaminated with Cereulide. It has been revealed that this type of oil is manufactured in China.

What is Cereulide toxin;

Cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Ingestion can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Typically, these symptoms appear between 30 minutes and 6 hours after consuming milk and are said to resolve within 24 hours. However, authorities are paying close attention as it can cause serious complications in children with weakened immune systems.

Economic impact and company losses:

With this situation, Danone's stock price has fallen by approximately 8.3%, which is also the lowest value recorded since February 2025. It is estimated that this entire process will result in losses exceeding one billion US dollars for the companies involved.