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 poisoning
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.
Recalled products - Danone
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
- Expiry dates: July to November 2026
Aptamil 2, 6-12 months, Follow on milk - 800g
- Expiry dates: June to December 2026
Aptamil Hungry, 1 From Birth, First Infant Milk - 800g
- Expiry dates: July 2026 to February 2027
Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux From Birth - 800g
- Expiry dates: June 2026 to January 2027
Recalled products - Lactalis
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.
Recalled products - Nestlé
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
- May 2027 with batch codes: 51450742F1, 52319722BA, 52819722AA
SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk - 800g
- May 2027 with batch code: 51240742F2
- July 2027 with batch codes: 51890742F2, 52879722AA
SMA Anti Reflux - 800g
- April 2027 with batch codes: 52099722BA
- June 2027 with batch codes: 51570742F3, 52099722BB, 52739722BA
SMA Alfamino - 400g
- April 2027 with batch code: 51200017Y3
- May 2027 with batch codes: 51210017Y1, 51220017Y1, 51250017Y1, 51390017Y1, 51420017Y2, 51430017Y1, 51460017Y1
- June 2027 with batch codes: 51690017Y2, 51690017Y3, 51700017Y1, 51710017Y1, 51740017Y1
- October 2027 with batch codes: 52760017Y5, 52790017Y1 52860017Y1
- November 2027 with batch codes: 53100017Y3, 53110017Y1, 53140017Y1, 53140017Y2, 53150017Y1
SMA First Infant Milk - 800g
- April 2027 with batch codes: 51170346AA, 51170346AB
- May 2027 with batch code: 51340346AB
- June 2027 with batch codes: 51580346AA, 51590346AA, 51590346AB
- October 2027 with batch codes: 52760346AB, 52760346AD, 52780346AA, 52750346AE
- December 2027 with batch codes: 53390346AB
SMA First Infant Milk - 400g
- May 2027 with batch code: 51350346AA
- October 2027 with batch code: 52750346AD
SMA First Infant Milk - 1.2kg
- November 2026 with batch code: 51340346BE
- April 2027 with batch codes: 52740346BA, 52750346BA
SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk - 800g
- May 2027 with batch code: 51220346AD
- June 2027 with batch code: 51540346AC
- October 2027 with batch code: 52740346AD
SMA Comfort - 800g
- September 2027 with batch code: 52620742F3
- May 2027 with batch codes: 51240742F3, 51439722BA, 51479722BA, 51769722BA, 52049722AA
SMA First Infant Milk - 200ml
- October 2026 with batch codes: 52860295M, 52870295M, 52870295M, 53030295M, 53040295M
- November 2026 with batch codes: 53220295M, 53230295M, 53070295M, 53080295M
SMA First Infant Milk - 70ml
- November 2026 with batch code: 53170742B1
SMA Lactose Free - 400g
- April 2027 with batch codes: 51150346AB, 51719722BA, 51759722BA, 51829722BA, 51979722BA, 52109722BA, 53459722BA
Ella Scott