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Just weeks after Nestlé withdrew batches of infant formula from sixty countries, Lactalis announced on Wednesday, January 21, that it was recalling six batches of its Picot brand formula in France, as well as products sold in 18 other countries. The reason: the detection of a bacterial toxin known as cereulide, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

The agriculture ministry confirmed to Le Monde that the same supplier, based in China, produced the raw material that brought this toxin into products made by both food industry giants.

According to the recall notice published Wednesday by French authorities, the affected Lactalis products had been on sale since January 2025, while the Nestlé formula batches were available starting in May 2025. For the agriculture ministry, the two cases are linked.

Lactalis had particular difficulty identifying the toxin cereulide was detected in a batch of milk powder at a Nestlé plant in the Netherlands," the ministry told Le Monde. “Subsequent investigations identified the culprit as an ingredient – a type of oil high in arachidonic acid – supplied by a producer in China. Other clients of this supplier then conducted their own checks.”

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