Parents across the United States are being urged to check their pantries following a recall of over 63,000 containers of A2 Milk Company's Platinum infant formula due to potential contamination with a dangerous bacterial toxin.
Recall Details
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice on Saturday announcing the recall after three batches of the brand's Platinum Premium USA 0-12 months tins tested positive for cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus bacteria that can cause food poisoning symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in infants.
The milk-based powder formula was sold nationally through the company's website, Amazon, and Meijer stores, and was distributed as part of the Operation Fly Formula program. Although the product is only sold in the United States, it was manufactured in New Zealand. The contamination was detected during testing conducted under new guidelines from New Zealand's food regulators.
Affected Batches
The affected product is the 31.7-ounce tin of A2 Platinum infant formula with the following batch numbers and expiration dates:
- 2210269454 – Use by July 15, 2026
- 2210324609 – Use by January 21, 2027
- 2210321712 – Use by January 15, 2027
The FDA estimates that out of the 63,078 recalled tins, approximately 16,428 units were sold to consumers. The formula is designed for babies up to 12 months old and contains added iron.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who have purchased the recalled formula should immediately stop using it and switch to another brand. They should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. If any baby experiences symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or dehydration after consuming the formula, they should be seen by a pediatrician.
Cereulide contamination is rare in infant formula, but the toxin can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in babies within 30 minutes to six hours of ingestion. Symptoms typically resolve on their own within 24 hours. However, food poisoning poses a greater risk to infants because their immune systems are not fully developed and they can become dehydrated quickly.
The bacteria can multiply and produce toxins if the powder is mixed with water and left at room temperature for several hours. Therefore, it is crucial not to let a prepared bottle sit out for more than two hours. Additionally, the toxin is heat-stable, meaning that using hot water to prepare the formula will not eliminate it.
No illnesses have been reported so far, the FDA said. This recall follows a global recall by Nestlé earlier this year across 60 countries due to similar concerns over cereulide contamination.
