More baby formula products recalled over toxin fears

Another recall notice has been issued in the UK for some baby formula products over potential contamination, with food safety experts asking parents to check batches they have at home.

Food manufacturer Danone has recalled 14 more batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate first infant and follow-on milks because a toxin called cereulide may be present in some of them.

Several manufacturers, including Nestle, have issued recalls of infant formula that could be contaminated in more than 60 countries since December.

Danone and Nestle have given assurances to the FSA that recalled batches were produced some time ago and are unlikely still to be on UK shop shelves. However, they may be in cupboards at home, which is why parents and caregivers are being asked to check their supplies.

Cereulide is a toxin which is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk. If it's consumed it can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.

The FSA has already said the toxin was linked to an ingredient called arachidonic acid (ARA) oil in infant formula, which gives it some of the growth properties of breast milk.

A third-party supplier is the source of the contamination, the FSA said last week, which the companies are now no longer using.

FSA chief executive Katie Pettifer said investigations were ongoing.

"Food businesses have a legal responsibility to sell safe food, including checking ingredients from suppliers are safe.

"We are working with international food safety authorities on this global recall and expect manufacturers to explain what went wrong and provide assurances this will not happen again," she said.

The FSA said big supermarkets including Tesco and Co-op were still stocking unaffected products, so parents can buy formula safely at those retailers.

"The affected batches are unlikely to still be on shop shelves but may be in your cupboard," Pettifer said.

"If you have an affected batch, do not use it. You can return it to the store and exchange it for an unaffected batch."