Parents urged to check baby milk as rare ‘do not use’ warning issued

Parents in the UK are being urged to check their babies’ formula as a rare ‘do not use’ warning has been issued. Today the Food Standard’s Authority (FSA) recalled further batches of Danone Infant Formula over concerns it is potentially contaminated with cereulide. Cereulide is a toxin that will not be destroyed by heating or cooking it and if consumed can lead to rapid onset of nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. 

This warning follows on from recent recalls of Nestlé SMA infant formulas due to the same contamination concern. Both Danone and Nestlé have confirmed they are no longer using ingredients from the affected third-party supplier. 

Katie Pettifer, chief executive of the FSA, urged parents and caregivers to check if they have any of the affected products on the shelves at home.

She said: “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. 

« If you are feeding your baby one of the affected batches, stop using it and switch to an unaffected batch from the same brand or another brand. If your baby’s formula was prescribed, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before changing.”

Katie went on to say that the risk of harm to children from cereulide contamination is low, but consuming the formula could lead to gastrointestinal distress. 

She said: “If your baby has recently consumed an affected batch and you are concerned about symptoms, contact your GP or call NHS 111. 

“Food businesses have a legal responsibility to sell safe food, including checking ingredients from suppliers are safe. We are working with international food safety authorities on this global recall and expect manufacturers to explain what went wrong and provide assurances this will not happen again.”