Food giant Danone has issued a recall of its Aptamil First Infant Formula due to concerns that a specific batch may contain the cereulide toxin, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed that only one batch, batch number 31-10-2026, with a best-before date of October 31, 2026, sold in the UK, is affected. However, additional batches across other countries are also under scrutiny.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents and resilience at the FSA, emphasized the importance of this recall, urging parents, guardians, and caregivers to refrain from feeding this product to infants and young children. “If you have purchased this batch, our advice is clear: do not use it,” he stated. Whitby advised anyone who has already fed this product to a baby and has health concerns to seek immediate guidance from healthcare professionals, either by contacting their general practitioner or calling NHS 111.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus, commonly associated with food poisoning symptoms that can develop rapidly, including vomiting and stomach cramps. The FSA’s warning follows a similar recall by Nestle, which recently removed several batches of its SMA infant formula products from the market due to similar contamination concerns. Nestle reported that no illnesses have been confirmed as a result of its products, but the company is taking the issue seriously.
Jane Rawling, head of incidents at the FSA, reassured the public that urgent actions are being taken to remove all affected products from sale. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of infant nutrition,” she said. The affected Nestle products include SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk, and several others. More details on these recalls can be found on food.gov.uk and the Nestle website.
Nestle’s statement indicated that the recall was initiated following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient from a leading supplier. The company is currently conducting tests on all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and related oil mixes used in the production of its potentially impacted infant nutrition products.
While no confirmed cases of illness have been reported in connection with either Danone or Nestle’s products, both companies are prioritizing consumer safety and are in close contact with UK authorities. Nestle has assured parents and caregivers that it is implementing measures to protect the health and well-being of families while working to minimize any potential supply disruptions.
As the situation evolves, parents are encouraged to stay informed and follow the guidance provided by health authorities regarding these recalls.
