Full list of recalled baby formula products as 36 children fall ill
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images
36 children have developed symptoms consistent with toxin poisoning across the UK as Danone recalls further baby formula batches, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed.
Last month, a trio of companies owned by French conglomerate Vitagermine recalled various batches of instant baby formula and follow-on formula after concerns of cereulide.
Cereulide, a heat-stable toxin, is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus.
If consumed, the harmful substance can lead to a rapid onset of symptoms which align with food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
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Today (6 February), Sky News reported that the UKHSA had received 24 illness complaints in England, seven in Scotland, and three in Wales.
These ‘clinical notifications of children developing symptoms’ were ‘consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning across the UK, after consuming implicated batches’ of baby formula.
“Given the widespread availability of the affected products prior to the recall and subsequent testing from the FSA [Food Standards Agency] identifying the toxin in batches of recalled formula, this is not unexpected,” it added.
The FSA continues to investigate the possible infant formula contamination.
On 6 February, Danone recalled further batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate instant formula and follow-on formula.
The company confirmed that its powder, manufactured in Ireland, was exported to a number of EU countries, including the UK.
FSAI chief executive, Greg Dempsey, described it as an ‘evolving global issue’ that is causing concern for parents, guardians, and caregivers.
"We would like to reassure everyone that the safety of infants and young children is of the utmost importance to us, and we are in close communication with the infant formula manufacturers and retailers to ensure they are taking all appropriate actions to ensure that any potentially unsafe products are recalled from consumers and no longer on the market.”
Adults are advised not to feed the recalled products to their young children. If no symptoms are displayed, nothing further needs to be done, Dempsey added.
The full recalled product list includes:
Aptamil 1, From Birth, First Infant Milk - 800g
Aptamil 2, 6-12 months, Follow on milk - 800g
Aptamil Hungry, 1 From Birth, First Infant Milk - 800g
Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux From Birth - 800g
Lactalis, considered the world’s largest dairy company, has voluntarily recalled baby milk products marketed under its Picot brand and other labels.
The recall, first announced on 21 January, affected 19 of the 47 countries where they were distributed.
“Lactalis Nutrition Santé (LNS) is voluntarily recalling six batches of Picot brand infant milk, available in pharmacies and supermarkets, due to the presence of cereulide in an ingredient sourced from a supplier,” the company said in a statement.
The recall affected Australia, Chile, China, Colombia, the Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Peru, Georgia, Greece, Kuwait, the Czech Republic and Taiwan, a spokesperson for the company told the AFP news agency.
On 30 January, Nestlé recalled various batches of its SMA Instant Formula and Follow-In Formula due to the ‘potential presence’ of cereulide.
It was advised that customers refrain from feeding their babies the product and either destroy it or return it to the point of sale.
The full recalled product list includes items sold in the UK and Northern Ireland.
SMA Advanced First Infant Milk - 800g
SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk - 800g
SMA Anti Reflux - 800g
SMA Alfamino - 400g
SMA First Infant Milk - 800g
SMA First Infant Milk - 400g
SMA First Infant Milk - 1.2kg
SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk - 800g
SMA Comfort - 800g
SMA First Infant Milk - 200ml
SMA First Infant Milk - 70ml
SMA Lactose Free - 400g