PARIS - Sanofi Aventis has recalled three cough mixtures for babies and children in France after traces of a toxic substance were discovered in a bottle, the French health authority said on its website on Saturday.

The recall concerns the sugar-free 2 percent syrup solutions of Rhinatiol, Bronkirex and Carbocistene.

The toxic phenol was found in a batch of Rhinatiol after a Swiss patient remarked an abnormal odour.

The health authority said there had been no complaints in France yet and added the level of phenol present was well below a dangerous level, but the recall was a precaution. (Reporting by Marcel Michelson, editing by Anthony Barker)