Danone recalls more baby formula products due to potential toxin presence

Eva Osborne

Danone has updated its recent product recall to include batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula due to the potential presence of cereulide.

The toxin is extremely heat-resistant, and consumption of foods containing the cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting.

Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually six to 24 hours.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is advising parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child.

No cases of human illness linked to the affected products have been confirmed to date in Ireland.

Danone is undertaking a wider recall of infant formula, follow-on formula, and base powder manufactured in Ireland for export to a number of EU countries, the UK, and third countries.

While the infant formula and follow-on formula included in this wider recall are exported, the FSAI said it is aware that some product exported to the UK subsequently may have indirectly been distributed to Ireland from the UK, for example through websites.

The FSAI is providing the details of the UK recall in order that consumers have the information to check if they have the implicated products.

FSAI chief executive, Greg Dempsey, said the recall in Ireland is an evolving global issue.

“We are aware that the number of recalls, and media coverage here and abroad, is a cause of concern for parents, guardians and caregivers.

"We would like to reassure everyone that the safety of infants and young children is of the utmost importance to us, and we are in close communication with the infant formula manufacturers and retailers to ensure they are taking all appropriate actions to ensure that any potentially unsafe products are recalled from consumers and no longer on the market.

"We continue to work closely with the relevant Irish authorities and our food safety partner agencies across Europe, as this global food safety incident evolves.”

“We continue to advise parents, guardians and caregivers who may have the recalled products at home not to feed them to their infant or young child. If no symptoms are displayed, nothing further needs to be done.

"If a parent, guardian or caregiver is concerned about the health of their infant or young child, they should contact a healthcare professional."

The full list of recalled products can be found here.

A Danone spokesperson said: "Danone never compromises on food safety, and we want to reassure all parents that we take this responsibility seriously.

"All our baby formulas are produced under strict food safety and quality standards and undergo rigorous checks before leaving our factories.

"We have recalled specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate products in Ireland in line, with the latest guidance related to cereulide from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

"Low levels of cereulide were identified in some specific batches and we have replaced them with new products. All products available for purchase are safe to use.

"To date there are no confirmed cases of sickness or symptoms linked to our products. If their baby is unwell, we recommend parents speak to their healthcare professional.

"If parents have any questions, they can reach out to our careline team on 1800 22 1234 (Aptamil) or 1800 570 570 (Cow & Gate)."