The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that two separate recalls of contaminated baby formula products this month by major manufacturers Nestle and Danone both originated from a shared third-party ingredient supplier. This revelation comes as part of ongoing investigations into the safety concerns surrounding these essential infant nutrition products.
Contamination Concerns and Product Recalls
On 23 January 2026, food giant Danone initiated a recall of a specific batch of its Aptamil baby formula product over serious concerns that it could contain the cereulide toxin. This harmful substance is known to cause unpleasant symptoms including vomiting and stomach cramps in those who consume it. The FSA has confirmed that the cereulide toxin was indeed detected in the batch distributed within the United Kingdom.
Earlier in the month, on 6 January, Nestle had already recalled some of its own baby formula products over identical contamination fears. The company stated that the problem stemmed from an ingredient provided by what it described as a leading supplier in the industry.
Affected Products and Safety Advice
The specific Danone product affected is batch 31-10-2026 of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the 800g size, carrying a best-before date of 31 October 2026. While only this single batch sold in the UK has been confirmed as affected, the FSA has noted that additional batches in other countries have also been impacted by the contamination issue.
Jodie Wild, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, has issued clear guidance to concerned parents and caregivers. "If you have any of the affected products, stop using them as soon as possible and switch to an alternative formula," she advised. "If the formula was prescribed by a health professional, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing. If you have fed it to your baby and are concerned, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice."
Ongoing Investigations and Industry Response
The food safety watchdog is now urgently working with manufacturers to trace all products that may have utilised ingredients from this shared supplier. Their primary objective is to ensure that all affected products are completely removed from sale across the country. The FSA is collaborating closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), local authorities, and industry representatives on appropriate sampling procedures, with updates promised when results become available.
This situation follows earlier reports this month regarding a mother whose baby fell seriously ill after being given the now-recalled infant formula. While she has called for a thorough investigation, Nestle has been emphatic in its response, stating categorically that there is no link between the recall and meningitis, and clarifying that cereulide does not cause or transmit meningitis.
Broader Implications for Food Safety
The incident highlights the complex nature of modern food supply chains and the potential vulnerabilities when multiple manufacturers rely on shared ingredient suppliers. As investigations continue, parents are advised to remain vigilant and check their baby formula products against the recalled batch information. The FSA maintains that consumer safety remains their utmost priority as they work to resolve this concerning contamination issue within the infant nutrition sector.
