London, February 5, 2026 – Health authorities in the United Kingdom have reported 36 cases of infants under one year old experiencing symptoms consistent with poisoning from the cereulide toxin, linked to recently recalled batches of baby formula produced by Nestlé and Danone.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Thursday that it had received 36 clinical notifications from across the country. These include 24 cases in England, seven in Scotland, three in Wales, one in Northern Ireland, and one from the Crown Dependencies. The affected babies developed symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming implicated batches of formula.
The incidents follow precautionary recalls initiated in January 2026 over concerns about contamination with cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus bacteria. Cereulide can cause sudden nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea, typically appearing within 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion.
Nestlé began the recall process on January 5, withdrawing several batches of its SMA infant and follow-on formula products in the UK due to the possible presence of the toxin. The recall was expanded on January 9 to include additional expiry dates, and further batches—including some SMA Advanced First Infant Milk—were added later. In total, more than 60 batches of Nestlé’s SMA products have been affected in the UK, with similar actions taken globally for brands like BEBA and NAN.
On January 24, Danone recalled one specific batch of its Aptamil First Infant Formula after cereulide was confirmed in the product. Investigations by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) traced the contamination to a contaminated ingredient, specifically an arachidonic acid (ARA) oil blend sourced from a supplier in China, used by multiple manufacturers.
The UKHSA noted that, given the widespread availability of the affected products before the recalls, some cases were anticipated. Authorities had alerted hospitals and healthcare providers to monitor for symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning.
Parents and caregivers are urged to check their formula stocks against the recalled batch codes and expiry dates listed on the FSA and company websites. Anyone whose infant has consumed the implicated products and shows signs of illness should seek medical advice immediately. No fatalities have been directly linked to the contamination in the UK cases reported so far, though global investigations—including in France—continue amid broader concerns.
The recalls have prompted calls from experts for stricter safety protocols and testing in the infant formula industry to prevent future incidents. Both Nestlé and Danone have stated they are cooperating fully with regulators and have implemented measures to address the issue.
For the latest recall details, consumers should visit the Food Standards Agency website or contact the manufacturers directly.