The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a risk assessment on 19 February, highlighting the rapid mobilisation of EU member states to secure the market after cereulide toxins were detected in selected baby formula powders.
The authorities say the risk of coming into contact with contaminated formula is “minimal”. The Luxembourg government has pledged a stronger commitment to food safety monitoring, particularly for children.
A rapid exchange between national and European bodies made it possible to share reliable information quickly, in order to understand the potential source of the contamination and to act quickly in order to protect consumers. Samples of formula were tested and compared to suspicious cases. 35 samples of formula, sold by different brands on the Luxembourg market, were subjected to testing for cereulide content. Only one sample returned positive results and was immediately taken off the shelves.
The health authorities in Luxembourg have investigated three reported cases so far. Two babies were hospitalised for dehydration, but have since recovered in full. The clinical analysis of all three babies returned negative results for cereulide, but the formula consumed by one baby tested positive for the toxin. The other two formula brands tested negative. At the time of testing, the positive formula had already been subjected to recall notices.
To date, there has been no confirmed case relating to the consumption of contaminated formula in Luxembourg.
