French probe into baby death did not show link with Nestle formula, prosecutor says

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) – A judicial inquiry launched in France after the death of a baby has shown no link with the recalled Nestle infant formula he had consumed, the Bordeaux prosecutor said on Friday.

Cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting, was detected in ingredients from a supplier in China for several infant formula makers, triggering precautionary recalls in dozens of countries and raising concerns among parents.

“Based on the current state of the investigation, the infant’s death does not appear to be linked to the formula used for feeding,” the prosecutor said in a statement.

The analyses carried out on the powdered and reconstituted milk of the Guigoz brand produced by Nestle consumed by the infant shortly before his death did not detect any cereulide, it said.

The results of two similar investigations in the towns of Angers and Blois are still pending.

Nestle said it remained fully available to the authorities and was collaborating transparently to contribute to any necessary clarification.

(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide, additional reporting by Alexander Marrow, Editing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)