European regulators announced Wednesday they are implementing strict new safety measures for importing a key ingredient used in baby formula from China, following a contamination crisis that made dozens of infants sick across the continent.
The European Commission said it will now require special safety certificates for all shipments of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil coming from Chinese suppliers after batches tainted with cereulide toxin entered the baby formula supply chain, causing nausea and vomiting in infants.
Major baby formula manufacturers including Nestle and Danone were forced to pull products from store shelves in widespread recalls that resulted in millions of dollars in financial losses.
According to the commission’s announcement Wednesday, the Chinese-sourced arachidonic acid oil “was likely to constitute a serious risk for human health.”
“Consignments should be accompanied by an official certificate stating that all the results of sampling and analyses show the absence of cereulide toxin,” the commission said.
“To ensure food safety and to avoid the entry into the union of unsafe arachidonic acid oil originating in China, this regulation should enter into force as a matter of urgency.”
Formula manufacturers have stopped purchasing supplies from Cabio Biotech, the Chinese company identified as the source of the tainted ingredient. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
When questioned about Cabio Biotech’s involvement in the recall crisis earlier this month, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “I would like to point out that the Chinese government takes food safety very seriously and will continue to take strong measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.”
