Urgent Recall of Aptamil Baby Formula Over Toxin Fears
Parents and caregivers across the UK are being issued with an urgent warning following the recall of a specific batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula. The product has been pulled from shelves over serious concerns that it may contain a harmful toxin known to cause food poisoning symptoms in infants.
Details of the Affected Product
The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that Danone, the manufacturer, is recalling batch 31-10-2026 of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the 800g size. This batch carries a best-before date of October 31, 2026. The agency has stressed that only this particular batch sold within the UK is affected, though additional batches in other countries have also been recalled.
The problematic substance identified is cereulide, a toxin produced by the food poisoning bacteria Bacillus cereus. Exposure to this toxin can lead to symptoms that develop rapidly, including vomiting and stomach cramps.
Official Advice from the Food Standards Agency
Darren Whitby, Head of Incidents and Resilience at the FSA, has issued clear guidance to the public. "We want to make parents, guardians and caregivers aware that Danone has recalled a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula," he stated.
The agency's official advice is unequivocal:
- Do not feed infants or young children with this specific batch of product.
- If you have already fed this product to a baby and have any health concerns, seek immediate professional advice by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.
- Return the product to the store of purchase for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
Boots, a major retailer of the formula, has reinforced this message through its own channels, confirming that the affected batches were sold between May and July 2025.
Broader Context: Nestle Formula Also Recalled
This recall follows a similar recent incident involving Nestle's SMA brand infant formulas. Several batches of SMA products were recalled due to concerns about the same cereulide toxin, traced back to an ingredient supplied by a leading provider.
Jane Rawling, Head of Incidents at the FSA, commented on the Nestle situation, reassuring parents that "urgent action" is being taken to remove all affected products from sale as a precautionary measure.
The Nestle recall encompasses multiple product lines, including:
- SMA Advanced First Infant Milk
- SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk
- SMA Anti Reflux
- SMA Alfamino
- SMA First Infant Milk
- SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk
- SMA Comfort
- SMA Lactose Free
Nestle has confirmed that the issue stemmed from a quality problem with an ingredient and that no confirmed illnesses have been linked to the products to date. The company is working closely with UK authorities and has undertaken comprehensive testing of all potentially impacted materials.
For detailed information on specific batch numbers affected in either recall, parents are directed to consult the official FSA website at food.gov.uk or the respective manufacturer's sites.
