The baby formula crisis: A warning system put to the test

What happened?

At the end of 2025 and especially at the beginning of 2026 , numerous countries around the world recalled baby milk products from various manufacturers. Countries such as Peru, Brazil and Australia were also affected.

The reason was contamination of powdered milk with the toxin cereulide. In Luxembourg alone, 50 products were taken off the shelves between 6 January and 12 February, according to the food and veterinary authority ALVA.

Three recalls for infant formula were still active on the Luxembourg warning and information platform LU-Alert in mid-February.

What is infant formula and how is it produced?

Infant formula is an industrially produced substitute product for breast milk when mothers are unable or unwilling to breastfeed their offspring. Breast milk is essential for the baby's survival and its supply of nutrients. Artificially produced infant formula must therefore provide the child with everything it would otherwise receive naturally.

In the vast majority of cases, cow's milk is used as the basis, which is prepared in such a way that it is as close as possible to the composition of breast milk. For example, the protein content is reduced and the lactose content increased. The manufacturers also add numerous vitamins, minerals and trace elements. And in this case also a contaminated omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid, often also called ARA oil).

What happened exactly?

The exact cause has not yet been clarified. So far, the assumption has been circulating that one or more contaminated batches from one supplier were delivered more or less simultaneously to several infant formula manufacturers based in Europe. The focus is on the company Cabio Biotech, one of the largest manufacturers of this oil. The company, which is based in Wuhan (China), has not yet commented on the allegations as of mid-February.