Cereulide poisoning: symptoms and full list of recalled baby formula products after 36 babies fall ill
Baby formula has been urgently recalled over food poisoning fears 🍼
- 36 babies are suspected to have fallen ill after drinking contaminated baby formula.
- Both Nestle and Danone have issued urgent product recalls over fears that baby formula contains a toxin which can cause food poisoning.
- The Food Standards Agency have warned parents not to feed the formula to their babies.
A total of 36 babies have fallen ill with suspected food poisoning after drinking contaminated baby formula.
It comes after Nestle and Danone issued baby formula recalls in January, over fears they may contain the bacterium cereulide toxin, which can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed young children have developed symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is also investigating the recalls, with contamination suspected to have originated from a shared third-party ingredient supplier.
In a statement in January, Nestle said: “The safety and well-being of babies is our absolute priority. As a precautionary measure, Nestlé is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula.
“This is due to the potential presence of cereulide in the batches concerned. Batch codes can be found on the base of the tin or box for powdered formulas or on the base of the outer box and on the side/top of the container for ready-to-feed formulas.
“There have been no confirmed reports of any illness associated with consumption of the products concerned. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, Nestle has decided to perform this voluntary product recall in line with our strict product quality and safety protocols. Consumers who may have these batches should not feed this product to their baby.”
What is Cereulide?
Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. It can cause food poisoning and is highly heat-stable, meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, boiling water, or when making infant milk.
What are the symptoms of Cereulide poisoning?
Cereulide can cause food poisoning 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion. Symptoms can come on suddenly and include nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. While most cases will resolve, it has the potential to cause severe dehydration, which may need to be treated in a hospital.
What baby formula has been recalled?
The list of recalled products was updated on February 4. The update includes items sold across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
The recalled products include:
SMA Advanced First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch numbers: 51450742F1, 52319722BA, 52819722AA
SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch number: 51240742F2, 51890742F2, 52879722AA
SMA First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch number: 51170346AA, 51170346AB, 51340346AB, 51580346AA, 51590346AA, 52760346AB, 52760346AD, 52780346AA
SMA First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 400g
- Batch number: 51350346AA, 52750346AD
SMA First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 1.2Kg
- Batch number: 51340346BE, 52740346BA, 52750346BA
SMA LITLLE STEPS First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch number: 51220346AD, 51540346AC, 52740346AD
SMA Comfort
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch number: 52620742F3, 51240742F3, 51439722BA, 51479722BA, 51769722BA, 52049722AA
SMA First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 200ml
- Batch number: 52860295M, 52870295M, 53220295M, 53230295M, 52870295M, 53030295M, 53040295M, 53070295M, 53080295M
SMA First Infant Milk
- Pack size: 70ml
- Batch number: 53170742B1
SMA Lactose Free
- Pack size: 400g
- Batch numbers: 51150346AB, 51500346AB, 51719722BA, 51759722BA, 51829722BA, 51979722B, 52109722BA, 53299722BA, 53459722BA
SMA Anti Reflux
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch numbers: 51570742F3, 52099722BA, 52099722BB, 52739722BA
ALFAMINO
- Pack size: 400g
- Batch numbers: 51200017Y3, 51210017Y1, 51220017Y1, 51250017Y1, 51390017Y1, 51420017Y2, 51430017Y1, 51460017Y1, 51690017Y2, 51690017Y3, 51700017Y1, 51710017Y1, 51740017Y1, 52760017Y5, 52790017Y1, 52860017Y1, 53100017Y3, 53110017Y1, 53140017Y1, 53140017Y2, 53150017Y1
SMA First Infant Milk (Available in Northern Ireland)
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch numbers: 51590346AB, 52750346AE, 53390346AB*
Aptamil First Infant Formula
- Pack size: 800g
- Batch number: 31-10-2026
- Best before: October 31, 2026.
If you have bought any affected products, do not feed them to babies. Even if your baby has not become unwell after consuming it, it is essential to stop using it and return it to the store it was purchased from for a full refund.
If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about the potential health impact, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Nestle and Danone have both issued urgent recalls for baby formula. You can find out more information about affected products at the Food Standards Agency.