Two judicial investigations have been opened in France following the suspicious deaths of two babies who consumed Guigoz infant formula recalled by Nestlé due to possible contamination with the cereulide toxin. In Angers and Bordeaux, authorities are examining whether this bacterial substance is responsible, with no causal link established yet. The Health and Agriculture ministries are monitoring the health alert closely.
In France, two tragic infant deaths have prompted investigations to determine if contaminated baby formula is involved. In Angers, a 27-day-old girl died on December 23, 2025. Her mother contacted investigators two days ago to mention a box of Guigoz formula given to the child. Prosecutor Éric Brouillard described this lead as «serious,» but added that «it is much too early to say it is the main lead.» A laboratory was urgently tasked with analyses.
In Bordeaux, a baby born on December 25, 2025, died on January 8, 2026, at Haut-Lévêque Hospital in Pessac. Fed Guigoz formula between January 5 and 7, the infant showed digestive issues on January 7, leading to emergency hospitalization. Prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul stated that initial tests found no Bacillus cereus bacteria, but further examinations for the cereulide toxin are ongoing. «The results of these new, longer analyses are not yet known,» he specified.
Nestlé recalled Guigoz and Nidal formulas on January 5, 2026, due to potential cereulide presence, a toxin from Bacillus cereus that can cause vomiting. The recall affects about 60 countries, including France. CEO Philipp Navratil apologized in mid-January amid NGO accusations of delay. Separately, Lactalis announced a similar recall on Wednesday, linked to ARA-rich oil from a Chinese supplier.
The Agriculture and Health ministries described the alert as «of scope, still evolving,» with no proven causal link between the formulas and symptoms. Minister Annie Genevard emphasized corporate responsibility: «It is the responsibility of companies to conduct controls and recall contaminated lots.» The NGO Foodwatch filed a complaint to clarify these recalls impacting millions of infants worldwide.
