France probes link between two baby deaths and milk formula

The farm ministry traces contamination to ARA-rich oil from China

The Nestle research centre at Vers-chez-les-Blanc in Lausanne, Switzerland, Aug 20, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

French investigators are examining the deaths of two infants who had consumed baby formula products that were subject to a precautionary recall earlier this month, the French health ministry said on Friday.

One of the babies, who died in the town Pessac in southwestern France, had been fed with Guigoz powder milk made by Swiss group Nestle and an investigation was ongoing into the possible cause of the death, the Bordeaux prosecutor said.

The ministry said there was no evidence so far that the deaths were linked to the baby formula products.

Nestle and the privately owned French group Lactalis this month recalled batches of infant milk sold in France due to possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.

Reuters could not immediately establish what infant formula the second baby had consumed.

Nestle said it was taking note of the ongoing investigations.

"As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products," it said in an email to Reuters.

Lactalis said it had not received any reports from the health authorities.

ANALYSIS IS UNDERWAY, MINISTRY SAYS

"Two reports of infant deaths have been brought to the attention of the health authorities, involving children who were reported to have consumed the infant formula affected by the recalls. To date, no causal link has been scientifically established," the health ministry said in a statement.

"Further analyses are underway and these cases are being investigated by the relevant public prosecutors," it added.

The launch of an enquiry is a standard procedure after the suspicious death of a baby.

The offices of the public prosecutor in Angers, western France, where the other death occurred did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Lactalis, the world's largest dairy group, recalled baby milk products in 18 countries and Nestle in dozens. Another French group, Danone, blocked a batch of infant formula specifically manufactured for the Singaporean market.

All three companies said the steps were precautionary.

The French farm ministry said on Wednesday the results of a first judicial enquiry were expected in the coming 10 days. It said its investigations had identified an oil rich in arachidonic acid, or ARA, that was produced by a Chinese supplier as the source of the contamination.