Danone recalls batches of Aptamil baby formula in Germany, letter shows
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Danone Deutschland asked a wholesaler to withdraw some batches of its Aptamil baby formula, produced between May and August 2025.
PHOTO: AFP
- Danone recalled some Aptamil baby formula batches in Germany due to potential toxin contamination, following Nestle's similar recall.
- The recalls, prompted by cereulide contamination, have expanded to other producers, potentially costing over US$1 billion.
- French investigators are probing possible links between recalled formulas and infant deaths, as shares in Danone decline.
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BERLIN - Danone has recalled at least three batches of its Aptamil baby formula in Germany, a letter to a wholesaler showed on Jan 29, as the French food producer scrambles to contain a scare over a toxin contamination that started with Nestle products.
In the letter dated Jan 26, Danone Deutschland asked wholesaler Alliance Healthcare to withdraw some batches of Aptamil produced between May and August 2025.
The letter, published by online pharmacy Shop Apotheke, said it believes the wholesaler would have little or no remaining stock given that it had subsequently received deliveries of new products.
Danone had said on Jan 23 that it was recalling specific baby formula batches in targeted markets. It did not specify which brands or countries were affected, or the volume of goods, but has emphasised that it believes its products are safe and comply with all applicable safety regulations.
Danone did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Jan 29.
Initial product concerns surfaced in December 2025, but escalated in early January when Nestle said it was withdrawing some batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA and NAN formulas, due to possible contamination with a toxin cereulide that can cause nausea and vomiting.
The recalls have affected dozens of countries and since widened to other French producers Lactalis and Vitagermine, threatening combined losses exceeding US$1 billion (S$1.2 billion).
Danone’s shares have lost almost 13 per cent in the last two weeks.
French investigators are examining whether there is a link between the deaths of two infants
On Jan 29, Germany’s Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety said certain batches of Danone products were being withdrawn and that an official recall can only be made when products are known to have reached consumers.
The recalls highlight how a single compromised ingredient can spread through the tightly regulated infant nutrition sector, triggering swift action from regulators and causing rapid market jitters.
Cereulide, a toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, was detected in an ingredient sourced from a supplier. France’s agriculture ministry has said the product originated in China, while Ireland’s Food Safety Authority has said cereulide was detected in arachidonic acid oil manufactured in China. REUTERS
