PFA seizes more than 500 units of counterfeit infant formula with dangerous toxin
The Argentine Federal Police conducted 14 raids and detected counterfeit "Sancor Bebé Advanced 1" with aflatoxin levels six times above the permitted limit.
Federal operation against the commercialisation of adulterated infant formula
The Argentine Federal Police executed fourteen raids as part of an investigation into the distribution and sale of counterfeit infant formula, according to diarioelinformante.com.ar. The product—a fraudulent imitation of "Sancor Bebé Advanced 1"—had caused adverse effects in infants whose parents purchased the tins from various supermarkets.
The case originated from a complaint filed by the legal representative of SANCOR, following complaints from numerous families whose children showed symptoms after consuming the product. The complaint was filed with Federal Prosecutor's Office No. 2 of Lomas de Zamora, headed by Dr Cecilia Incardona, with the involvement of the office of Dr Florencia Soglio, who immediately summoned investigators from the General Directorate of Operational Coordination and Investigations of the PFA.
Storage and online sales network
The investigation established that the counterfeiters operated through several properties used as warehouses, and that the merchandise was also sold through digital channels and online sales platforms. Federal Court No. 2 of Lomas de Zamora, headed by Dr Juan Tomás Ponte Rodríguez, authorised operations in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and in the districts of Ezeiza, Quilmes, San Vicente, Lanús, Cañuelas and Roque Pérez.
The geographical dispersal of the targets required the deployment of personnel from the Federal Operational Units of Ezeiza and 25 de Mayo. As a result of the raids, more than 500 units of uncontrolled manufacture infant formula were seized, along with a vehicle, mobile phones, notebooks, cash and documents of judicial interest.
Five arrested, two Chinese nationals and one Paraguayan
Five adults were identified as participants in the criminal scheme: two Argentine nationals, two Chinese citizens and one Paraguayan citizen. All were remanded into judicial custody along with all seized material, for violation of Law 22.362.
Aflatoxin M1 at levels six times above the legal limit
A forensic report from SENASA, ordered by the Prosecutor's Office, revealed that the illegitimate powdered milk contains levels of Aflatoxin M1—a toxin derived from fungi—that exceed by more than six times the maximum limit established by the Argentine Food Code. The specialists concluded that the product is unfit for consumption and represents a serious toxicological risk for infants under six months of age, who depend on this food as their main source of nutrition.
Typographical errors and physical differences expose the counterfeit
In addition to chemical contamination, the containers presented irregularities detectable to the naked eye. The packaging contained typographical errors—"Adventencia" instead of "Advertencia" and "Olico" instead of "Oleico"—and differences in the size and quality of the plastic spoon included in the container, compared with the original product. The seized batches bore the identification "L:Y010 F-011207563 ELAB 10/01/26 VTO: 10/01/27".
The joint intervention of the PFA, the Prosecutor's Office and the federal court enabled the product to be withdrawn from circulation before it continued reaching homes with infants.
Source: Google News AR — Crime