NESTLE has confirmed a toxin which can cause food poisoning has been found in its recalled baby formula.
More than 60 batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were recalled earlier in January over fears they may have contained the toxin cereulide.
Select batches of SMA formula were found to contain a toxin
Now, the company has confirmed fears that the affected batches do contain cereulide, which can make babies ill.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) told Sky News that the toxin had been found in some of the batches, though could not confirm if it was present in all of them.
This comes after the FSA and the UK Health Security Agency mounted an investigation into the recalled batches.
Jodie Wild, head of incidents unit at the FSA, told Sky: “Ongoing investigations have identified that the contamination originated from a shared third-party ingredient supplier.
“The affected ingredient is an oil called arachidonic acid (ARA). We are urgently tracing all products that may have used ingredients from this supplier to make sure any affected products are removed from sale.
“Nestlé has recalled a number of batches of SMA formula, and Danone is recalling one batch of Aptamil.
“Both recalls are due to the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and nausea. If further recalls are needed, we will announce them immediately.”
At the time of the recall, Nestle said there had been no confirmed reports of associated with the products, it clarified it was recalling them “out of an abundance of caution”.
“The safety and wellbeing of babies is our absolute priority,” the firm said in a statement.
According the the FSA, “cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus”.
“Cereulide is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, using boiling water or when making the infant milk.
“If consumed it can lead to rapid onset of symptoms. Symptoms caused by this toxin include nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.”
Investigations are reportedly ongoing.
The confirmation comes after a product recall earlier in JanuaryCredit: Alamy
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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