At Least 36 Children Suffer Toxic Poisoning Symptoms From Recalled Baby Formula

Thirty-six children in the U.K. have developed symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning after consuming recalled baby formula. And parents are being told to check their homes immediately for the affected batches.

The U.K. Health Security Agency published a Health Protection Report on Thursday, February 5, confirming that the country's Food Standards Agency had already announced back on January 5 that Nestlé was doing a precautionary recall of several batches of SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products "due to the possible presence of cereulide toxin."

The recall got updated with new product expiry dates on January 9. Then on January 24, Danone recalled one batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula because of cereulide contamination too.

The Cases

As of February 3, health agencies received 36 clinical notifications where children who consumed the recalled batches developed symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning. Twenty-four cases in England. Seven in Scotland. Three in Wales. One in Northern Ireland. One in the Crown Dependencies.

Seventeen children were male, 16 female, three unknown.

Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director of Gastrointestinal Infections, Food Safety and One Health at UKHSA, said in a statement, "Following the Food Standards Agency's recall of SMA infant formula on 05 January, the U.K. Health Security Agency sent an alert out to the healthcare system asking clinicians to be vigilant of symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning in children who had consumed affected batches."

"UKHSA and partner agencies have received 36 clinical notifications of children developing symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning across the U.K., after consuming implicated batches."

"Parents and caregivers are advised to recheck and remove all recalled formula from their homes to prevent illness in their children," Godbole said.

What the Toxin Does

Symptoms of Bacillus cereus food poisoning and cereulide toxin poisoning are most commonly vomiting but can include stomach cramping and diarrhea. Symptoms usually hit fast—between 15 minutes and up to 6 hours after ingestion.

Most of the time, ingesting the toxin doesn't cause serious illness. But a few cases have involved liver or kidney injury, muscle breakdown, and multi-organ failure. Young children and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of complications.

The Companies' Responses

A Nestlé spokesperson said, "We are very sorry to hear about these cases and our teams will work closely with any families who report these types of concerns to us. We continue to ask parents to check the batch codes of recalled products against our recall notice and thank all those who have contacted us so far."

Danone said in a press release on January 23, "In light of this sector situation, some local food safety authorities are evolving their guidance. In that context, as a responsible manufacturer and to comply with the latest guidance, Danone will withdraw from targeted markets a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula products."

"Danone's priority is to ensure that parents and healthcare professionals can continue to place their trust in the safety and quality of our infant formula products," the company added.

What Parents Should Do

Check your formula. Right now. Pull out every container and check the batch codes against the recall notices from Nestlé and Danone. If you've got recalled formula, throw it out. Don't use it. Don't risk it.

The recalls started back in early January, but cases kept showing up through early February, which means some parents either didn't hear about the recalls or didn't check their formula. Health officials are pushing the message again now because kids are still getting sick.

If your child consumed recalled formula and develops vomiting, stomach cramping, or diarrhea, contact a doctor. Most cases resolve without serious complications, but young children are at higher risk for more severe illness.

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