The European Union has announced significantly strengthened import controls on Chinese-made infant formula ingredients after confirming that three infant deaths in France were linked to contaminated raw materials imported from China.
According to Reuters, AFP and other international news agencies on the 26th (local time), the EU announced through its official journal that "there is a need to establish enhanced levels of official controls and special conditions regarding imports of arachidonic acid oil from China."
Under the new measures, arachidonic acid oil imported from China into the EU will only be permitted entry upon submission of official certification proving the absence of cereulide toxin. Additionally, more than half of such products will be subject to mandatory physical inspection and verification procedures.
The European Commission explained that the measures were implemented because Chinese-made arachidonic acid oil triggered product recalls by major infant formula manufacturers including Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis.
Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that occurs naturally in breast milk. Formula manufacturers have been adding it in oil form to make their products more closely resemble breast milk composition. However, cereulide toxin found in some Chinese-made ARA oil has recently been identified as problematic. Cereulide is a toxin that can cause food poisoning symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.
The formula contamination was first identified in December last year, and three infants in France who consumed the recalled formula have since died.
While the EU did not officially name the companies involved, industry sources indicate that Chinese company Cabio Biotech has been identified as the raw material supplier at the center of the investigation.
Cabio Biotech has not issued an official statement regarding the arachidonic acid contamination allegations.