A recent food safety alert in the United Kingdom has raised concerns after 36 infants reportedly fell ill following the consumption of powdered milk produced by Nestlé and Danone. The products were recalled due to contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can survive typical cooking and preparation processes.
According to BBC reports, the affected infants experienced symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, though none are believed to be in serious condition. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the babies consumed the recalled formula but has not definitively linked the illnesses to the contamination.
The recall affects specific batches of Danone’s 800-gram infant formula, with an expiration code of EXP 31-10-2026. For Nestlé, several products—including SMA infant formula—have been affected, with detailed batch information available on the company’s website.
Cereulide, the toxin involved, is notable for its resistance to heat and standard formula preparation, making it difficult to eliminate during normal handling. Ingesting the toxin can lead to rapid onset of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
