Nestlé baby milk recall alarms China

Chinese authorities are urging Nestlé SA to work quickly in recalling baby formula products in the mainland over potential contamination concerns.

- FABIENNE KINZELMANN ZURICH (BLOOMBERG)

The State Administration for Market Regulation said Thursday that Nestlé had an important corporate responsibility to protect the rights and interests of consumers in China — which is the world’s largest formula market.

China's comments come after the Swiss food group on Wednesday widened a recall of some baby formula products beyond Europe to Asia and the Americas, over concerns they may be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin that can cause food borne illness including vomiting.

The voluntary recall, which relates to batches of infant nutrition products including the BEBA and Alfamino brands, began in Europe this week after cereulide was detected in an ingredient from one of its oil suppliers. No reports of illnesses have been made, the company said on its website.