(C) OnlyMyHealth

SEOUL – The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued an urgent safety warning on Monday following reports from France that two infants have died after consuming contaminated baby formula. While the news has sparked global concern, South Korean health authorities confirmed that the affected products have not been officially imported into the domestic market.

The Source of the Outbreak
According to the French Ministry of Health, a massive recall is currently underway involving several major dairy manufacturers, including Nestlé, Lactalis, and Sanulac. The investigation was launched after several weeks of reported cases involving severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants.

The primary culprit has been identified as cereulide, a potent toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Even in trace amounts, this toxin can cause acute gastrointestinal distress and, in vulnerable populations such as newborns, can lead to fatal complications.

Domestic Safety Inspection Results
In response to the international crisis, the MFDS conducted an emergency exhaustive inspection of all powdered infant formula currently distributed within South Korea.

Total Products Tested: 113
Domestic Brands: 56
Officially Imported Brands: 57
Result: All products tested negative for cereulide.

The Ministry emphasized that the specific batches and product lines under recall in Europe were never cleared for formal distribution through South Korean customs.

Warnings Against Direct Overseas Purchases
Despite the lack of official imports, the MFDS expressed concern over "direct purchase" (Jik-gu) consumers who buy products via international e-commerce platforms. To mitigate this risk, the Ministry has requested that major online marketplaces—including Naver Shopping and Auction eBay—immediately block the sale and proxy purchasing of the implicated European brands.

"We strongly advise consumers to refrain from purchasing infant formula from overseas websites until the safety of these specific international batches is fully clarified," an MFDS official stated.

Ongoing Vigilance
The MFDS has pledged to continue monitoring international safety data and will strengthen its screening processes for all dairy imports. For now, the South Korean government assures the public that the domestic supply chain remains secure, though parents are urged to remain vigilant and check the origin of any formula purchased through unofficial secondary markets.

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