{"id":114208,"date":"2026-02-05T14:34:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=114208"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:34:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:34:33","slug":"36-uk-infants-ill-after-drinking-contaminated-baby-formula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=114208","title":{"rendered":"36 UK infants ill after drinking contaminated baby formula"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thirty-six infants in the UK have had suspected food poisoning from contaminated baby formula.<\/p>\n

It comes after specific batches made by Nestle and Danone were recalled after possible contamination with the toxin, cereulide.<\/p>\n

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it has received clinical notifications of young children developing symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, consistent with cereulide poisoning.<\/p>\n

None of the infants \u2013 all around or under one \u2013 are reported to be gravely ill, the BBC understands.<\/p>\n

Gauri Godbole, from UKHSA, said it was not unexpected, given \u201cthe widespread availability\u201d of the affected products prior to the recall and \u201csubsequent testing\u201d.<\/p>\n

Godbole said there did not seem to be any signs that huge numbers of children had been affected so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrent surveillance indicators do not show unusual increases in reports of vomiting in children under the age of 1 for this time of year,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

But the agency said it would continue monitoring the situation and providing updates.<\/p>\n

The UKHSA has not been able to confirm categorically that the infants had been poisoned but it has been confirmed they consumed the specific brands of infant formula affected.<\/p>\n

The Danone batch affected is the 800g pack coded EXP 31-10-2026.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, for Nestle the concerns of possible contamination relate to SMA infant formula and follow-on formula. The batches affected are listed on the company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Cereulide is a toxin which is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk.<\/p>\n

If it is consumed it can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps developing quickly.<\/p>\n

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said the toxin was present in a specific ingredient identified as arachidonic acid oil. The oil is added to infant formula to give it some of the important growth properties contained in breast milk.<\/p>\n

The FSA has urged parents who had any of the affected products left, to stop using them and switch to an alternative formula.<\/p>\n

If you have fed it to your baby and are concerned, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice, it added.<\/p>\n

The FSA is working with manufacturers to trace all products that may have used the affected ingredient and ensure all affected products are removed from sale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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