Thirty-six children have suffered toxin poisoning symptoms linked to Nestle and Danone baby formulas that were recalled last month, the UK Health Security Agency has said.
UKHSA said it and partner agencies had received 24 notifications in England, seven in Scotland, three in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and one from the Crown Dependencies of children who had consumed implicated batches developing symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning.
On January 5, the Food Standards Agency confirmed that Nestle was undertaking a precautionary product recall of several batches of 12 SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products in the UK due to the possible presence of the cereulide toxin.
Swiss food giant Nestle recalled several batches of the formulas over fears they were full of the toxin, which causes sickness and abdominal cramps in babies.
It was found that the arachidonic acid (ARA) oil that was added to the formula was the offending ingredient carrying the toxin, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. Both recalls originated from a shared, third-party, ingredient supplier.
The recall was widened just days later to also include 800g packs of SMA First Infant Milk with a best-before date of December 2027 and marked 53390346AB.
The FSA said it was only distributed in Northern Ireland.
Other Nestle products affected by the recall include: SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk; SMA Anti Reflux; SMA Alfamino; SMA First Infant Milk; SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk; SMA Comfort and SMA Lactose Free.
Last month Nestle confirmed it was undertaking a precautionary product recall of several batches of 12 SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products in the UK due to the possible presence of the cereulide toxin
Danone recalled one batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula because of cereulide contamination
On January 24, Danone – another infant formula retailer – recalled one batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula because of cereulide contamination. The affected batch is the 800g pack bearing the expiry date 31-10-2026.
In a statement, Nestle previously said: ‘We want parents and caregivers to know that the safety of our products and the well-being of infants is our top priority.’
‘Following the detection of a quality issue in an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestlé has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of its potentially affected infant formula products.
‘We want to reassure parents and families: we have taken the necessary steps in impacted countries, in close alignment with authorities, to recall all potentially affected products. This is to prioritise the health and well-being of families and their babies.’
Danone has also spoken out and said it ‘never compromises on food safety’.
In a statement, the company said: ‘In light of the current situation in the industry, some local food safety authorities are evolving their guidance.
‘This is a targeted recall, mainly in Europe, of only a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula products. This does not impact any Danone products in the Irish market and our infant formula products can be purchased and used as normal.’
Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming bacterium that can contaminate a range of food products and when allowed to grow, certain strains can produce the cereulide toxin, the UKHSA said.
Nestle has widened their recall to 800g packs of SMA First Infant Milk (pictured)
Bacillus cereus food poisoning and cereulide toxin poisoning symptoms most commonly involve vomiting, but may include stomach cramping and diarrhoea.
Symptoms usually have a rapid onset between 15 minutes to up to six hours after ingestion. They usually resolve within 24 hours providing there is no ongoing exposure to the toxin.
Ingestion of the toxin rarely causes more significant illness, however a ‘few’ cases of liver or kidney injury, muscle breakdown and multi-organ failure have been reported, the UKHSA said.
Individuals at high risk of complications include young children and the immunocompromised.
The FSA urged people with any affected products to stop using them, switch to an alternative and contact their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has already consumed the formula.
If formula is prescribed, parents should speak to a pharmacist or doctor before switching, the FSA said.
More details about which batches have been recalled can be found on food.gov.uk or on the Nestle website.