Swiss food giant Nestle has recalled millions of litres of baby milk in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal after reports it had been contaminated with ink. The company says the traces found do not pose a health risk but the police said it was not immediately clear whether the substance was toxic.

Tests are being carried out to see if babies given the contaminated milk over a prolonged period face health problems. The contamination is thought to have been passed on to the milk during packaging. "How many accidents like this never come to light?" asked one consumer in Milan. "It's very worrying. On the other hand, we have to eat, we have to buy something!"
It is the second time Nestle has run foul of Italian authorities this year.
Along with six other producers of baby formula, the firm was fined by the antitrust authority in October for running a cartel keeping prices much higher than in many other European countries.

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