In a significant escalation of food safety concerns, the number of baby formula products recalled in the UK has surged to 28, following urgent actions by manufacturers Danone and Nestle. This development comes just one day after the UK Health Security Agency confirmed it is investigating reports of 36 babies falling ill from contaminated formula.
Expanded Recall Announced by Food Standards Agency
Today, on February 6, 2026, the Food Standards Agency revealed that Danone is pulling additional products from its popular Aptamil and Cow & Gate lines. This separate recall action brings the total number of items the baby formula giant is recalling to 15, all due to concerns over the possible presence of cereulide toxin in specific batches.
Multiple Brands Affected by Safety Concerns
Meanwhile, SMA has also recalled batches of formula in a separate but related case. Dozens of infants have experienced symptoms consistent with toxin poisoning, which authorities have linked to Nestle's SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products. These contaminated batches were ultimately removed from shelves on Thursday.
This latest recall follows last month's action when Nestle recalled more than 60 batches of its SMA formula milk that were found to contain cereulide toxin. The toxin can cause distressing symptoms including vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea in affected infants.
Health Agency Investigation Underway
The UKHSA confirmed yesterday that it is investigating at least 36 clinical reports of children becoming ill after consuming contaminated formula batches. A Food Standards Agency representative provided crucial information about the toxin in an official statement.
"Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus," the representative explained. "Cereulide is highly heat stable, meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk according to NHS guidelines. If consumed, it can lead to rapid onset of symptoms."
Urgent Advice for Parents and Caregivers
Health authorities are urging parents to immediately check the batch codes of any formula they are giving to infants and to avoid using contaminated products. The rapid expansion of this recall highlights the seriousness of the contamination issue affecting multiple major formula brands across the UK market.
Complete List of 28 Recalled Products in the UK
Danone Products:
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk 800g (Best Before: July 9, 2026 to December 4, 2026)
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk 700g (Best Before: August 22, 2026 to November 26, 2026)
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk 700g (Best Before: July 31, 2026 to January 31, 2027)
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack 1.2kg (Best Before: July 11, 2026 to February 20, 2027)
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk Hungry 800g (Best Before: July 31, 2026 to February 23, 2027)
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk 600g (Best Before: August 2, 2026 to January 16, 2027)
- Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux 800g (Best Before: June 7, 2026 to February 18, 2027)
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Big Pack 1.2kg (Best Before: August 14, 2026 to December 25, 2026)
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Hungry 800g (Best Before: July 4, 2026 to February 24, 2027)
- Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk Pre-measured Tabs (All dates up to and including January 17, 2027)
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk 800g (Best Before: June 18, 2026 to January 4, 2027)
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk 700g (Best Before: August 5, 2026 to February 20, 2027)
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Big Pack 1.2kg (Best Before: July 23, 2026 to January 13, 2027)
- Aptamil 2 Follow On Milk Pre-measured Tabs (All dates up to and including January 17, 2027)
- Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Milk 800g (Best Before: June 11, 2026 to January 25, 2027)
Nestle SMA Products:
- SMA Advanced First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk 800g
- SMA First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA First Infant Milk 400g
- SMA First Infant Milk 1.2Kg
- SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA Comfort 800g
- SMA First Infant Milk 200ml
- SMA First Infant Milk 70ml
- SMA Lactose Free 400g
- SMA Anti Reflux 800g
- ALFAMINO 400g
Northern Ireland Specific Recall:
- SMA First Infant Milk 800g
Ireland Specific Recall:
- SMA Advanced First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA Advanced Follow on Milk 800g
- SMA Comfort 800g
- SMA First Infant Milk 200ml
- SMA First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA GOLD PREM 2 800g
- SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk 800g
- SMA Alfamino 400g
The expanding nature of this recall underscores the importance of vigilance among parents and caregivers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the contamination source and affected batches proceed.
