Parents Urged to Check Baby Formula as FSA Issues 'Do Not Use' Warning
The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has issued an urgent 'do not use' alert, calling on UK parents and caregivers to scrutinise their baby formula. This follows a recall of additional batches of Danone Infant Formula due to fears of contamination with cereulide, a potent toxin that can cause swift onset of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps if ingested. The warning comes after recent recalls of Nestlé SMA infant formulas over identical contamination concerns.
Immediate Actions for Parents
Katie Pettifer, chief executive of the FSA, emphasised that while the affected batches are unlikely to still be on shop shelves, they may be stored in home cupboards. She advised: "If you have an affected batch, do not use it. You can return it to the store and exchange it for an unaffected batch. If you are feeding your baby one of the affected batches, stop using it and switch to an unaffected batch from the same brand or another brand. If your baby's formula was prescribed, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before changing."
Pettifer added that the risk of harm from cereulide contamination is low, but consumption could result in gastrointestinal discomfort. She recommended: "If your baby has recently consumed an affected batch and you are concerned about symptoms, contact your GP or call NHS 111."
Manufacturer Responses and Global Recall
Both Danone and Nestlé have confirmed they have ceased using ingredients from the implicated third-party supplier. The FSA is working with international food safety authorities on this global recall. Pettifer stated: "Food businesses have a legal responsibility to sell safe food, including checking ingredients from suppliers are safe. We expect manufacturers to explain what went wrong and provide assurances this will not happen again."
List of Affected Products
The affected products include various batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate formulas. Parents should check the following details carefully:
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Pack size 800g - All dates from July 9, 2026 to December 4, 2026
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Pack size 700g - All dates from August 22, 2026 to November 26, 2026
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Pack size 700g - All dates from July 31, 2026 to January 31, 2027
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack Pack size 1.2kg - All dates from July 11, 2026 to February 20, 2027
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Hungry Pack size 800g - All dates from July 31, 2026 to February 23, 2027
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Pack size 600g - All dates from August 12, 2026 to January 16, 2027
- Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux Pack size 800g - All dates from June 7, 2026 to February 18, 2027
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack Pack size 1.2kg - All dates from August 14, 2026 to December 25, 2026
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Hungry Pack size 800g - All dates from July 4, 2026 to February 24, 2027
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Pre-measured Tabs - All dates up to and including January 17, 2027
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Pack size 800g - All dates from June 18, 2026 to January 4, 2027
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Pack size 700g - All dates from August 5, 2026 to February 20, 2027
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Big Pack Pack size 1.2kg - All dates from July 23, 2026 to January 13, 2027
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Pre-measured Tabs - All dates up to and including January 17, 2027
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Pack size 800g - All dates from June 11, 2026 to January 25, 2027
For a full list of recalls, parents are advised to check the FSA website. This alert underscores the importance of vigilance in ensuring infant safety amid ongoing food safety investigations.
