Global food conglomerate Danone has initiated a significant product recall for a specific batch of its Aptamil baby formula in the United Kingdom. This decisive action follows the discovery of a potentially harmful toxin within the product, raising serious concerns for infant health and safety.
Urgent Safety Alert Issued by Authorities
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has disseminated an urgent public health warning, advising parents and caregivers to immediately cease using the affected formula. The alert centres on the detection of cereulide, a toxin produced by the food poisoning bacterium Bacillus cereus. Consumption of this substance can lead to rapid-onset symptoms including severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Specific Batch Details and Consumer Advice
The recall is highly targeted, affecting only batch 31-10-2026 of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the 800g format, which carries a best-before date of October 31, 2026. This particular batch was available on UK shelves for approximately two weeks during July 2025.
Official guidance from the FSA is unequivocal: infants and young children must not be fed this product. Parents who have already used the formula and harbour any health concerns are strongly urged to seek immediate medical advice by contacting their General Practitioner or calling the NHS 111 service.
Root Cause and Wider European Impact
The contamination originated from an ingredient known as ARA oil, manufactured in China, which was tainted with cereulide. This oil was incorporated into a base powder used for producing infant and follow-on formula products.
While the UK batch is the primary focus of the domestic alert, the issue has broader implications. The product has been exported to several European Union nations, prompting the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to formally notify the European Commission about the recall. Danone has characterised this as a "targeted recall, mainly in Europe, of only a very limited number of specific batches."
Company Statement and Reassurances
In an official statement, Danone emphasised its commitment to safety, asserting it "never compromises on food safety." The company framed the recall as a voluntary, precautionary measure taken to comply with evolving guidance from local food safety authorities.
Danone was keen to provide context, noting that the recall is an isolated incident and does not affect any of its products currently on the Irish market. The firm reassured consumers that its other infant formula products remain safe for purchase and normal use.
Darren Whitby, Head of Incidents and Resilience at the FSA, underscored the gravity of the situation: "We want to make parents, guardians and caregivers aware that Danone has recalled a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula. If you have purchased this batch, the FSA's advice is that you should not feed infants or young children with this product."
This incident highlights the complex, globalised nature of modern food supply chains and the critical importance of rigorous safety protocols at every stage of production and distribution.
