Danone has issued further recalls for batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula, intensifying concerns after dozens of babies across the UK were sickened, with some requiring hospitalisation, due to suspected cereulide toxin exposure. This action follows reports from health officials revealing that 36 babies across the UK have developed symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin contamination after consuming affected formula. The UK Health Security Agency documented 24 reports in England, seven in Scotland, three in Wales, one in Northern Ireland, and one from the Crown Dependencies, detailing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

In response to these alarming reports, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent alert, advising parents and caregivers to immediately verify batch numbers of their infant formula products and discontinue the use of any affected items. This latest recall expands upon previous actions by Danone and includes specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant and follow-on formula. Similarly, Nestlé had previously recalled several SMA infant and follow-on formula products due to the same contamination issue. Both Danone and Nestlé have confirmed to the FSA that they have ceased using ingredients from the implicated third-party supplier and that products currently available for sale do not contain the contaminated ingredient.

Officials have reassured the public that all other batches of Aptamil, Cow & Gate, and SMA not explicitly listed in the recall notices remain safe for use. Major retailers, including Tesco and Co-op, continue to stock unaffected formula, ensuring ongoing availability for parents. However, authorities have highlighted that the primary risk lies with affected batches potentially still stored in household cupboards. Katie Pettifer, Chief Executive of the FSA, strongly advised, 'Please check if you have Aptamil, Cow & Gate or SMA formula at home. The affected batches are unlikely to still be on shop shelves but may be in your cupboard. If you have an affected batch, do not use it. You can return it to the store and exchange it for an unaffected batch.' She further recommended that if a baby is currently being fed an affected batch, parents should stop using it and switch to an unaffected batch from the same or an alternative brand. For prescribed formulas, parents should consult a pharmacist or doctor before making any changes. Pettifer noted that while the risk of harm from cereulide contamination at these levels is low, it can induce vomiting and diarrhoea, advising parents to contact their GP or NHS 111 if concerned about their baby's symptoms after consuming an affected batch.

The root cause of the contamination in both the Danone and Nestlé products has been traced back to a shared third-party ingredient supplier located in China. The cereulide toxin is believed to have originated from arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an omega-6 fatty acid naturally found in breast milk and optionally added to formula. This ARA oil is produced through microbial fermentation, a process where bacteria are grown to generate specific compounds. If this process is not rigorously controlled, harmful bacteria can develop and produce toxins like cereulide. Cereulide is known for its high heat resistance, meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by boiling water or during standard formula preparation. This toxin disrupts the body's energy production and is commonly associated with food poisoning from contaminated rice, pasta, and dairy products. Health officials are continuing their investigations into the source of the contamination and are actively monitoring for any additional cases.

The following is a comprehensive list of recalled products:

Danone Recalled Baby Formula (due to possible cereulide toxin contamination):

• Aptamil First Infant Formula
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 31-10-2026
  • Best before: October 31 2026
• Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Best before: All dates from 11 June 2026 to 25 January 2027
• Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Pre-measured Tabs
  • Best before: All dates up to and including 17 January 2027
• Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Big Pack
  • Pack size: 1.2kg
  • Best before: All dates from 23 July 2026 to 13 January 2027
• Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk
  • Pack size: 700g
  • Best before: All dates from 5 August 2026 to 20 February 2027
• Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Best before: All dates from 18 June 2026 to 4 January 2027
• Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Pre-measured Tabs
  • Best before: All dates up to and including 17 January 2027
• Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Hungry
  • Pack size: 800g
  • All dates from 4 July 2026 to 24 February 2027
• Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack
  • Pack size: 1.2kg
  • Best before: All dates from 14 August 2026 to 25 December 2026
• Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Best before: All dates from 7 June 2026 to 18 February 2027
• Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 600g
  • Best before: All dates from 12 August 2026 to 16 January 2027
• Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Hungry
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Best before: All dates from 31 July 2026 to 23 February 2027
• Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Best before: All dates from 9 July 2026 to 4 December 2026
• Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 700g
  • Best before: All dates from 22 August 2026 to 26 November 2026
• Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 700g
  • Best before: All dates from 31 July 2026 to 31 January 2027
• Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack
  • Pack size: 1.2kg
  • Best before: All dates from 11 July 2026 to 20 February 2027

Nestlé Recalled SMA Infant and Follow-On Formula (due to possible cereulide toxin contamination):

Batch codes can be found on the base of the tin or box for powdered formulas or base of the outer box and on the side or top of the container for ready-to-feed formulas. 'NEW' next to a product indicates it is part of the fresh recall.

• SMA Advanced First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 51450742F1, 52319722BA, 52819722AA
  • Best before: May 2027, May 2027, May 2027
• SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 51240742F2, 51890742F2, 52879722AA
  • Best before: May 2027, July 2027, July 2027
• SMA Anti Reflux
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 51570742F3, 52099722BA, 52099722BB, 52739722BA
  • Best before: June 2027, April 2027, June 2027, June 2027
• SMA ALFAMINO
  • Pack size: 400g
  • Batch codes: 51200017Y3, 51210017Y1, 51220017Y1, 51250017Y1, 51390017Y1, 51420017Y2, 51430017Y1, 51460017Y1, 51690017Y2, 51690017Y3, 51700017Y1, 51710017Y1, 51740017Y1, 52760017Y5, 52790017Y1, 52860017Y1, 53100017Y3, 53110017Y1, 53140017Y1, 53140017Y2, 53150017Y1
  • Best before: April 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, June 2027, June 2027, June 2027, June 2027, June 2027, October 2027, October 2027, October 2027, November 2027, November 2027, November 2027, November 2027, November 2027
• SMA First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 51170346AA, 51170346AB, 51340346AB, 51580346AA, 51590346AA, 52760346AB, 52760346AD, 52780346AA, 51590346AB, 52750346AE, NEW: 53390346AB
  • Best before: April 2027, April 2027, May 2027, June 2027, June 2027, October 2027, October 2027, October 2027, June 2027, October 2027, NEW: December 2027
• SMA First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 400g
  • Batch codes: 51350346AA, 52750346AD
  • Best before: May 2027, October 2027
• SMA First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 1.2kg
  • Batch codes: 51340346BE, 52740346BA, 52750346BA
  • Best before: November 2026, April 2027, April 2027
• SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch code: 51220346AD, 51540346AC, 52740346AD
  • Best before: May 2027, June 2027, October 2027
• SMA Comfort
  • Pack size: 800g
  • Batch codes: 52620742F3, 51240742F3, 51439722BA, 51479722BA, 51769722BA, 52049722AA
  • Best before: September 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027, May 2027
• SMA First Infant Milk
  • Pack size: 200ml
  • Batch codes: 52860295M, 52870295M, 53220295M, 53230295M, 52870295M, 53030295M, 53040295M, 53070295M, 53080295M
  • Best before: October 2026, October 2026, November 2026, November 2026, October 2026, October 2026, October 2026, November 2026, November 2026
• SMA First Infant Milk
  • Pack size:70ml
  • Batch code: 53170742B1
  • Best before: November 2026
• SMA Lactose Free
  • Pack size: 400g
  • Batch codes: 51150346AB, 51500346AB, 51719722BA, 51759722BA, 51829722BA, 51979722BA, 52109722BA, 53299722BA, 53459722BA
  • Best before: April 2027, May 2027, April 2027, April 2027, April 2027, April 2027, April 2027, August 2027, April 2027