EU authorities have determined that the likelihood of exposure to baby formula contaminated with the cereulide toxin is now “low” following widespread recalls across Europe. However, they warned “additional cases may still occur if recalled products remain in households rather than being returned.”
Investigators have traced the source of the toxin to an arachidonic acid (ARA) oil ingredients supplier in China.
The update comes in a joint assessment published on 19 February 2026 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), describing a multi-country foodborne event caused by cereulide in infant formula products.
Between 19 December 2025 and 13 February 2026, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain and the United Kingdom reported infants with gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming infant formula.
According to the joint assessment, most cases were mild, although some infants required hospitalisation due to dehydration. The most recent onset of illness was recorded on 6 February.
Manufacturers, including Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis, have withdrawn affected products since December due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin linked to the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
The toxin can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Infants under six months are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Investigations are ongoing to confirm all linked cases and identify affected batches. Large-scale recalls and harmonised EU measures have significantly reduced the risk of further exposure.
Epidemiological and microbiological investigations of human cases
As of 13 February 2026, investigations were still ongoing in European countries to assess the possible link between consumption of infant formula products from recalled batches, and cases of gastrointestinal disease in infants.
Cases were reported using national criteria for case classification and association of illness to implicated products. The European case classification is still under development.
Information to ECDC from the seven countries that have reported observing infants with symptoms of cereulide intoxication following consumption of infant formula products is summarised below.
The majority of infants have presented with mild symptoms, but hospitalisations due to dehydration have also been reported. The diagnostic challenges and limited surveillance affect the ability of countries to confirm human cases in this event. The latest disease onset that has been reported to ECDC was on 6 February 2026 with public health investigations still ongoing in countries.
Austria reported four infants who developed gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly vomiting, shortly after consuming infant formula. For one infant, the cereulide was detected in the infant formula consumed, two infants, consumed products which were part of a recalled batch, and one child had consumed formula from a non-recalled batch. The children, aged between 0 and 11 months of age, fell ill between 26 January and 6 February 2026 and one child was hospitalised. All children have now recovered.
Belgium reported eight infants who tested positive based on clinical samples. All eight had consumed the recalled infant formula and experienced favourable clinical outcomes. Cereulide was detected in the formula products consumed by five of the infants.
Denmark reported having no diagnostics for human samples and thereby no surveillance of confirmed cases. Suspected cases are not captured in the surveillance system. The food safety authority in Denmark has been contacted by parents of approximately 32 infants who developed gastrointestinal symptoms (self-reported) after the recall was initiated in December 2025. Some of the infants had consumed the batches of infant formula that was part of the recall, but some had consumed other batches.
France reported 11 infants who were hospitalised and under investigation. All infants have recovered and have returned home. Five of them consumed recalled infant formula, and it was not possible to confirm consumption for the remaining six children. Five of the 11 children who were hospitalised received a differential diagnosis for the gastro-enteritis symptoms. Two unexplained infant deaths were reported in France and are currently under routine medico-legal investigation. Although both infants had consumed infant formula that was part of the recall, current investigations have not identified any link between the consumed formula and the illnesses or deaths.
Luxembourg reported three infants who were examined as part of this event. Two infants were hospitalised for dehydration and have fully recovered. Clinical samples were negative for all three infants, but the formula consumed by one infant was positive however the incubation time for this infant was 48 hours.
Spain reported 41 infants with gastrointestinal symptoms, all of whom had a history of consuming products which were part of the recall. Twelve of the 41 infants were hospitalised and have been discharged. Ten additional notifications of infants with compatible symptoms were also received, of whom nine had consumed unknown.
batches of infant formula, and one had consumed formula from batches not part of the recall. Of these ten infants, one was hospitalised and been discharged.
The United Kingdom reported 44 infants with gastrointestinal symptoms following the consumption of formula which was part of the implicated batches. The testing of recalled formula has confirmed the presence of cereulide.
Consumers are advised to follow the instructions and guidance issued by national food safety authorities.
Recalled products should not be given to infants or young children and returned to the point of sale. It is important to be attentive to symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea in infants and young children, regardless of their underlying cause, and the recommendation is to seek professional medical advice if infants or young children develop persistent or severe gastro-intestinal symptoms.
20.02.2026.
SOURCE
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2026-02/joint%20%28EFSA%20and%20ECDC%29%20Rapid%20Outbreak%20Assessment%20on%20the%20multi-country%20food-borne%20incident%20caused%20by%20cereulide%20and%20linked%20to%20infant%20formula%20products.pdf https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/multi-country-foodborne-event-caused-cereulide-infant-formula-products
