36 children have suffered toxin poisoning linked to baby formula,
Thirty-six babies have suspected toxin poisoning after drinking contaminated batches of baby formula, the UK Health Security Agency has announced.
UKHSA said it and partner agencies had received 24 notifications in England, seven in Scotland, three in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and one from the Crown Dependencies of children developing symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning.
It comes one month after food giants Nestlé and Danone announced they would recall several batches of 12 SMA Infant Formula, Follow-On Formula and Aptamil Formula products in the UK as a precaution.
The products, Nestlé said, could potentially contain cereulide – a potentially deadly toxin that can lead to the rapid onset on nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) added the toxin is highly heat-resistant, meaning that it’s unlikely to be destroyed by heating, boiling water, or when making the baby formula.
The contamination in both the Nestle and Danone formulas originated from a shared, third-party ingredient supplier in China, officials have said.
French authorities are also currently investigating the deaths of two infants who consumed formula contaminated with the cereulide toxin last month.
The toxin, which stops cells in the body from being able to make energy, is frequently associated with food poisoning from contaminated rice, pasta, and dairy products.
It causes rapid-onset symptoms – which can begin within 15 minutes to six hours – like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, and has been linked to several deaths in recent years.
Parents have been urged to stop using affected products, switch to an alternative and contact their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has already consumed the formula.
The toxin is believed to have originated in an oil added to the formula during production, according to the FSA.
The ingredient, called arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, is an omega-6 fatty acid that naturally occurs in human breast milk, but is an optional addition to baby formula.
ARA oil is produced using microbial fermentation – whereby bacteria is purposely grown on organic compounds to convert them into energy, acids or alcohols.
If the process is not done properly, it can cause the growth of the wrong – and potentially dangerous – bacteria, experts have warned.
In a statement, Nestle previously said: ‘We want parents and caregivers to know that the safety of our products and the well-being of infants is our top priority.’
‘Following the detection of a quality issue in an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, Nestlé has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of its potentially affected infant formula products.
‘We want to reassure parents and families: we have taken the necessary steps in impacted countries, in close alignment with authorities, to recall all potentially affected products. This is to prioritise the health and well-being of families and their babies.’
Danone has also spoken out and said it ‘never compromises on food safety’.
In a statement, the company said: ‘In light of the current situation in the industry, some local food safety authorities are evolving their guidance.
‘This is a targeted recall, mainly in Europe, of only a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula products. This does not impact any Danone products in the Irish market and our infant formula products can be purchased and used as normal.’
Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming bacterium that can contaminate a range of food products and when allowed to grow, certain strains can produce the cereulide toxin, the UKHSA said.
Bacillus cereus food poisoning and cereulide toxin poisoning symptoms most commonly involve vomiting, but may include stomach cramping and diarrhoea.
Symptoms usually have a rapid onset between 15 minutes to up to six hours after ingestion. They usually resolve within 24 hours providing there is no ongoing exposure to the toxin.
Ingestion of the toxin rarely causes more significant illness, however a ‘few’ cases of liver or kidney injury, muscle breakdown and multi-organ failure have been reported, the UKHSA said.
Individuals at high risk of complications include young children and the immunocompromised.
The FSA urged people with any affected products to stop using them, switch to an alternative and contact their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has already consumed the formula.
If formula is prescribed, parents should speak to a pharmacist or doctor before switching, the FSA said.
More details about which batches have been recalled can be found on food.gov.uk or on the Nestle website.
