Danone has announced an extension of its recent baby formula recall, withdrawing multiple batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate First Infant Milk and Follow-on Milk products due to potential contamination with cereulide.
Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by Bacillus cereus.
The development follows ongoing investigations after more than 30 reports of children experiencing nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps linked to previously recalled batches.
The latest recall includes products across several formats, such as standard packs, big packs, pre-measured tabs, and anti-reflux formulas.
This action comes on the heels of the January 23 recall of Aptamil First Infant Formula, highlighting the scale of disruption across Danone’s infant nutrition portfolio.
According to the company, the contamination originated from a shared third-party ingredient supplier, which has since been discontinued.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has urged caregivers to check their stock and refrain from using any affected batches, citing that cereulide’s heat-stable properties make it resistant to standard preparation methods, including those recommended by the NHS.
The recall underscores the complex supply chain challenges in infant formula production and the importance of rigorous quality control measures.
Danone has stated that it is working closely with health authorities and retailers to remove affected products from shelves and has reiterated its commitment to consumer safety and supply chain vigilance.
Nestlé has also recalled several batches of its SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products for the possible presence of the same cereulide toxin.