The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that Danone is recalling specific batches of its infant formula and follow-on formula, due to the potential presence of cereulide.

Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning, the FSAI said.

The implicated products were manufactured in Ireland and exported to a number of EU countries, the UK and third countries.  

The FSAI said it has been notified by Danone that none of the implicated products have been distributed in Ireland.

Recall

In a statement on Friday (January 23), the authority said: "The FSAI has notified the European Commission of this recall through its Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed to ensure that all affected countries are notified. 

"This recall is associated with a contaminated raw ingredient which was also implicated in the recent recall of some batches of infant formula and follow-on formula by Nestlé.

"An ingredient, ARA oil, which was manufactured in China, was contaminated with cereulide and added as an ingredient in base powder used to make infant formula and follow-on formula.

"The FSAI and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who regulate the Danone manufacturing facilities in Ireland, continue to engage with Danone to ensure that all food safety measures are being taken to protect consumers."

Lactalis

French dairy giant Lactalis this week became one of the latest manufacturers to recall batches of baby formula.

In a statement (translated from French) this week, it said: "Lactalis Nutrition Santé (LNS) is carrying out a voluntary recall of six batches of Picot brand infant milk, available in pharmacy networks and in large retail outlets, due to the presence of cereulide in an ingredient from a supplier.

"This recall follows an alert from the French professional association for infant nutrition regarding the potential presence of cereulide in an ingredient sourced from an international supplier and used in the composition of certain infant formulas."

The notice by Lactalis followed recalls of Nestlé baby formula products as well.

Nestlé this month has recalled a number of batches in Ireland of SMA infant formula and follow-on formula due to the potential presence of cereulide.

"The toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant," the FSAI said.

"Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting.

"Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually six to 24 hours."