Parents are being warned to check and not to use a batch of its Aptamil baby formula over concerns it could contain a harmful toxin. Danone has recalled a batch of its Aptamil First Infant Formula over fears it could contain a toxin that could cause vomiting and stomach cramps.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said only one batch sold in the UK is affected, but additional batches in other countries are also affected. The agency said the toxin cereulide has been found in a batch distributed in the UK.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents and resilience at the FSA, said: “We want to make parents, guardians and caregivers aware that Danone has recalled a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula (800g).
“If you have purchased batch 31-10-2026 of Aptamil First Infant Formula 800g, with a best-before date of October 31 2026, the FSA’s advice is that you should not feed infants or young children with this product. If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals by contacting your GP or by calling NHS 111.
“Cereulide is a toxin produced by food poisoning bacteria Bacillus cereus and can cause food poisoning symptoms which can be quick to develop and include vomiting and stomach cramps.”
Boots, which sells the formula, also released a notice on its Facebook page to warn parents about the batch.
They said: “As a precaution, an isolated batch of Aptamil Infant Formula 800g has been recalled. Customers who have bought this product can return it to the store they bought it for a full refund. With or without a receipt.
“Batches were sold in May – July 2025, with the expiry date of 31/10/2026. No other batches are affected by this notice.”
The recall comes after Nestle recalled some of its baby formula products over concerns they may contain the same food poisoning toxin. The company said several batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies.
The problem was caused by an ingredient provided by a leading supplier. Jane Rawling, head of incidents at the FSA, said: “FSA’s advice is that parents, guardians and caregivers should not feed infants or young children with these products.
“Cereulide is a toxin produced by food poisoning bacteria Bacillus Cereus, and can cause food poisoning symptoms which can be quick to develop and include vomiting, and stomach cramps.
“I want to reassure parents, guardians and caregivers that we are taking urgent action, helping to ensure all of the affected product is removed from sale as a precaution. If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.”
Nestle products affected by the recall include 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 and SMA Lactose Free. More detail about which batches have been recalled can be found on food.gov.uk or on the Nestle website.
In a statement, the company said: “Following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products.
“No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products involved to date. The company is in contact with UK authorities and as a precautionary measure, is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula.”
