The global infant formula safety scandal has escalated further, with Danone recalling a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the UK after cereulide toxin was detected in the product.
The recall follows regulatory action in Singapore earlier this week, where authorities halted sales of a Danone-manufactured infant formula brand due to potential bacterial risks.
Irish authorities have now confirmed that the affected formula was produced in Ireland and distributed across parts of the European Union, the UK and selected non-EU markets.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said the recall was linked to contamination of a specific ingredient used in infant and follow-on formula production.
According to the regulator, an ingredient known as ARA oil was contaminated with cereulide and subsequently added to the base powder used in formula manufacturing.
"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 authority said.
Danone said its internal quality controls had not identified any safety breaches and stressed that routine testing showed products were "fully compliant with all applicable safety regulations".
The company added that the recall was being carried out as a precautionary measure following confirmation of contamination in the raw material supply chain.
The contaminated ARA oil has also been linked to recalls by Nestlé, with other major producers, including Lactalis and Hochdorf, also affected.
In Singapore, Danone has already recalled Dumex-branded products tied to the same issue.
The widening scope of the recalls is intensifying scrutiny of infant formula supply chains and EU food safety oversight.
Watchdogs have raised concerns around delayed recalls and potential systemic failures in detecting contaminated ingredients earlier in the production process.
Meanwhile, Nestlé is currently under investigation by French authorities following the deaths of two infants who had consumed the company’s baby formula products, which were subject to a precautionary recall earlier in January.
The latest developments signal a shift from precautionary action to confirmed contamination, further escalating pressure on major infant formula producers and regulators to strengthen supply chain transparency and safety controls.