Baby formula urgently recalled over toxic ingredient found inside

An infant formula has been removed from shelves after a batch was found to contain a harmful toxin.

Aptamil First Infant Formula has been recalled due to the possible presence of cereulide, making it unsafe to consume.

A vomit-inducing toxin, cereulide is known to withstand heat and is therefore unlikely to destroyed through cooking.

According to the Food Standards Agency, consumption of the bacteria commonly leads to a rapid onset of symptoms, including nausea and abdominal cramps.

The recall affects all 800g packs with a batch code of 31-10-2026 and best before date of October 31, 2026.

Customers who have bought the above products are advised to not feed them to babies and instead return it to the point of purchase with or without a receipt.

Where the formula has been medically prescribed, customers are advised to consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before switching to another product.

The warning was issued after a key ingredient used in base powder for infant formula, known as ARA oil and made in China, was found to have been contaminated with cereulide.

Similar recalls have been announced in other countries, including Ireland, following a notification to the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

Danone said it had taken the decision based on ‘evolving guidance’ from authorities and insisted its products were safe.

It said in a statement: ‘Danone never compromises on food safety. Both our routine controls and additional targeted analyzes carried out in light of the current situation in the industry, confirm Danone’s products
are safe and fully compliant with all applicable safety regulations.

‘In light of this sector situation, some local food safety authorities are evolving their guidance.
In that context, as a responsible manufacturer and to comply with the latest guidance, Danone will withdraw from targeted markets a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula products.

‘Danone’s priority is to ensure that parents and healthcare professionals can continue to place their trust in the safety and quality of our infant formula products.’

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