ROME, Italy (AFP) — The European Union’s food safety (EFSA) agency on Monday proposed reference doses for a toxin sometimes found in powdered milk following recalls in dozens of countries.

The EFSA said that a concentration of over 0.054 micrograms of cereulide per litre in infant formula or over 0.1 micrograms per litre in follow-on formula “may lead to safe levels being exceeded”.

“EFSA’s scientists proposed an ARfD (acute reference dose) of 0.014 micrograms of cereulide per kilogram of body weight in infants,” the Italy-based agency said in a statement.

“This advice is intended to help EU risk managers determine when products should be withdrawn from the market as a precautionary public health measure,” the statement said.

It was not immediately clear whether the new advice would lead to further recalls.

Several manufacturers, such as giants Nestle, Danone and Lactalis, have issued recalls of infant formula in more than 60 countries, including France, since December due to a risk of cereulide contamination.

Cereulide, a toxin produced by certain bacteria, is “likely to cause primarily digestive problems, such as vomiting or diarrhoea,” according to the French health ministry.

Two criminal investigations have already been opened in France following the deaths of two infants who consumed infant formula recalled by Nestle due to “possible contamination” by a bacterial substance.

The French health ministry said that no “causal link” has yet been established.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was tasked by the European Commission with establishing a standard for cereulide in children’s products.