On Friday 6 February 2026, the Cow & Gate recall widened as more baby formula products were recalled in the UK over fears they could be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin that may make infant formula unsafe. Danone issued a fresh recall covering 14 additional batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate first infant and follow-on milks after traces of cereulide were identified, prompting parents to check batch numbers and stop using any affected packs at home. UK health officials say 36 children are suspected to have suffered food-poisoning symptoms linked to the impacted formula — mainly vomiting and stomach cramps — though none are reported to be seriously ill, as The WP Times reports while pointing readers to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) batch list and return-and-exchange guidance for households.
The UK Food Standards Agency has urged parents and caregivers to check the batch numbers listed on its website and to stop using any products included in the recall. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin, meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by boiling water or during the preparation of infant milk, which is why authorities stress that affected formula should not be consumed under any circumstances.
The latest recall forms part of a wider international issue. Since December, several manufacturers have withdrawn infant formula products in more than 60 countries due to possible contamination risks. These include batches of SMA formula produced by Nestlé, as well as Aptamil and Cow & Gate products made by Danone. In total, 28 batches of baby formula have now been recalled, after traces of cereulide were first detected in a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula in January.
According to the FSA, the contamination has been linked to an ingredient known as arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which is added to infant formula to support growth and mimic some properties of breast milk. The agency said the oil was supplied by a third-party manufacturer that is no longer being used by the affected companies. Investigations remain ongoing, with international food safety authorities involved.
FSA chief executive Katie Pettifer said food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure that all products placed on the market are safe, including carrying out thorough checks on ingredients sourced from suppliers. She added that regulators expect manufacturers to explain what went wrong and to provide clear assurances that similar incidents will not happen again.
Danone said it never compromises on food safety and emphasised that all of its baby formulas are produced under strict quality and safety standards, undergoing rigorous checks before leaving factories. The company confirmed that low levels of cereulide were detected in specific products only and that all affected batches have now been withdrawn and replaced.
The FSA also confirmed that major UK retailers, including Tesco and Co-op, continue to stock unaffected baby formula products that are considered safe for purchase. However, parents and caregivers are being warned that recalled batches may still be stored at home. Anyone who finds they have an affected product is advised not to use it and to return it to the retailer for a refund or exchange.
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Materials used: BBC News, UK Food Standards Agency statements, Danone official comments, Nestlé product recall notices, UK health authorities data.
