A mother from Manchester has spoken of her ongoing guilt after her newborn son spent months in agony, only to discover she had been feeding him three types of baby formula that were later recalled over toxin concerns. Catharine Alexander, 24, gave birth to Arlo Chalmers in November and began feeding him Cow & Gate First Infant Milk.
Shortly after bringing Arlo home, he began projectile vomiting and screaming in pain. Alexander rushed him to hospital, where he was treated for a bacterial infection and spent five days on oxygen and a feeding tube. After being discharged, she switched to SMA Little Steps and then Aptamil First Infant Formula, but his symptoms—including daily vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation—persisted for three months.
It was only this month that Alexander realised all three brands had been recalled due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The Food Standards Agency confirmed that certain batches from SMA, Aptamil, and Cow & Gate may contain the toxin and urged parents to seek medical advice if they had used the affected products.
Since switching to a different formula brand, Arlo's symptoms have resolved completely. Alexander said she feels she 'fed him poison' and believes the companies should compensate affected families. Nestlé, which manufactures SMA, said all affected batches are being tested, while Danone, which produces Cow & Gate and Aptamil, acknowledged low levels of cereulide in some recalled batches.
