EU agencies consider risk of exposure low, as recall of infant formula continues
EU agencies consider risk from contaminated infant formula be to low as recall continues
ECDC and EFSA have assessed that the current likelihood of exposure to contaminated infant formula is low, and that most affected children appear to have experienced mild symptoms. Recalls are still ongoing, and investigations continue at the national level.
The multi-country recall of several infant formula products - covering different batches, products and brands - began in mid-December following the detection of cereulide, a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. As of 13 February, seven countries have reported investigating the source of gastrointestinal symptoms in infants after the consumption of infant formula products.
Laboratory confirmation is not routinely performed because most clinical microbiology laboratories lack established methods to test for the toxin. In Belgium, cereulide was detected in stool samples from eight symptomatic infants. For most reported cases in other countries, the link is based on clinical symptoms and linked to consumption of the formula. The agencies say that without cereulide testing of stool samples, assessing the overall impact has been challenging, particularly as gastrointestinal infections are also widespread during winter.
Beyond the Belgian cases, Austria identified four infants with symptoms shortly after consumption. France investigated 11 hospitalised infants and is examining two infant deaths; no causal link with the formula has been established. Spain and the United Kingdom reported the largest numbers, with 41 and 44 symptomatic infants respectively, all associated with implicated batches. Luxembourg recorded three investigated cases, while Denmark has received parental reports of illness but hasn’t been able to confirm the association.
Total recall
The recall was initiated after cereulide was detected in batches of infant formula containing arachidonic acid (ARA) oil. Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova told journalists that the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed is unique worldwide and enabled authorities to act early, alerting national authorities and coordinating the recall of milk formula products.
There is concern that not all households have returned the recalled formula, meaning additional cases could still emerge. Parents are advised to follow guidance issued by their national food safety authorities and to return recalled products to the point of sale.