Nestlé Probed in French E. Coli Deaths

Nestlé is grappling with an outbreak of E.coli-related illnesses in its frozen pizza that has reportedly killed two children in France.

French authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Nestlé over deaths and illnesses caused by its Buitoni Fraîch’Up frozen pizza, which is distributed in Europe and northern Africa. The attacks of foodborne illnesses have reportedly killed two children, ages 8 and 2½, and sickened 52 other children and one adult.

The incident has become a scandal in France due to inspections of the factory in the northern French town of Caudry where the pizza was processed. Pictures of things like a worm on a production line and food spilled on a floor were carried by French news media. Nestlé says those pictures were from two years ago and that lapses in hygiene at the plant were “an exceptional, unfortunate situation.” It is unclear whether hygiene issues at the plant could have contributed to the E. coli outbreak.

The affected pizza is not sold in North America. Nestlé bought the Buitoni brand in 1988 and spun off its North American operations early last year.