• 36 Infants Show Symptoms of Poisoning After Consuming Contaminated Formula
• Authorities Monitor Situation and Urge Replacement of Affected Products

Reports indicate that 36 infants in the UK have developed symptoms suspected to be caused by food poisoning after consuming contaminated baby formula. The recall followed specific batches from one company due to possible contamination with the toxin "cereulide."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) received medical reports of children, nearly all under one year old, showing vomiting and diarrhea consistent with cereulide poisoning, noting that none of the cases were severe.

Gauri Godbole from UKHSA said the situation "was not unexpected," given the widespread availability of the affected products before the recall and subsequent testing, adding that there were no signs of large-scale exposure so far.

She confirmed that current monitoring indicators do not show unusual increases in vomiting cases among children under one compared to the same period last year, but stressed ongoing monitoring and updates.

While the agency could not definitively confirm that the infants were poisoned, it verified that they had consumed the affected formula brands.

Cereulide is a toxin that is generally not destroyed by cooking or formula preparation and can cause rapid symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps if ingested.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) stated that the toxin was found in a specific ingredient called arachidonic acid oil, added to infant formula to provide some of the key growth properties found in breast milk.

The FSA urged parents with any of the affected products to stop using them and switch to a safe alternative, noting that it is working with manufacturers to trace all products containing the contaminated ingredient and ensure their complete removal from the market.