Thirty-six babies have shown suspected symptoms of toxin poisoning after consuming powdered baby milk, the British Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) announced.
According to authorities, a total of 36 cases have been reported: 24 in England, seven in Scotland, three in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and one in the Crown Territories. The children have developed symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning.
The incident comes about a month after food companies Nestlé and Danone announced the preliminary recall of some batches of SMA Infant Formula, Follow-On Formula and Aptamil products in the United Kingdom. According to Nestlé, the products may contain cereulide, a potentially deadly toxin that causes nausea, vomiting and rapid-onset abdominal pain.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) stressed that cereulide is highly heat-stable, meaning it is not destroyed by boiling water or during the preparation of baby milk.
Authorities have clarified that the contamination in Nestlé and Danone products originated from a common supplier of an ingredient in China. Meanwhile, French authorities are also investigating the deaths of two infants suspected of consuming milk contaminated with the same toxin.
Cereulide is known to block energy production in cells and is commonly associated with food poisoning from rice, pasta and dairy products. Symptoms appear quickly, from 15 minutes to six hours after consumption, and include vomiting, nausea and abdominal cramps. In rare cases, serious liver or kidney damage, muscle breakdown and multi-organ failure have been reported, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems.
According to the FSA, the likely source of the toxin was an oil added during the production of the formula – arachidonic acid oil (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid that occurs naturally in breast milk but is an optional ingredient in formula. This oil is produced through microbial fermentation and, if the process is not properly controlled, can lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Parents are advised to immediately stop using the affected products, switch to safe alternatives and contact their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has consumed the suspected milk. In cases where the milk is prescribed, it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Nestlé and Danone have stated that food safety and the well-being of infants are an absolute priority, emphasizing that the recall is limited to certain product series and is being carried out in cooperation with the authorities.
Further details on the series withdrawn from the market have been published on the official FSA website and on the websites of the respective companies. /GazetaExpress/
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