At least five babies have been hospitalised in Spain after consuming contaminated infant formula suspected of containing a heat-resistant toxin. The cases are part of a wider European health alert involving batches of powdered milk originating from Ireland.
According to health authorities, a total of eight infants in Spain have suffered from vomiting and intestinal issues. Five of these cases were severe enough to require hospital treatment. Meanwhile, the outbreak is currently under investigation by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which has noted similar incidents in several other member states.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Contaminated infant formula: Five babies hospitalised in Spain
Contaminated infant formula batches identified and withdrawn
The suspected cause of the illness is cereulide, a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The Public Health Agency of Catalonia issued an alert in late January regarding the possible presence of this toxin in Almiron brand infant milk products manufactured in Ireland.
The manufacturer detected the issue during routine self-monitoring and notified competent authorities. Consequently, the affected batches have been withdrawn from the market. In addition, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition has alerted autonomous communities to ensure the products are removed from sale.
Contaminated infant formula: A European-wide concern
While the investigation continues, the impact of the contaminated batches appears to extend well beyond Spain. The ECDC’s weekly public health bulletin highlights a significant number of cases across the continent:
- United Kingdom: 36 reported cases involving gastrointestinal symptoms.
- France: 11 babies hospitalised.
- Belgium: Five infants confirmed positive for the toxin via clinical samples.
- Denmark: Several cases of diarrhoea detected in infants who consumed the product.
So far, Belgium is the only country to have scientifically established a direct link between the gastrointestinal illnesses and the specific contaminated products. In Spain, laboratory confirmation for the suspected cases is still pending.
Understanding the risk of contaminated infant formula
Bacillus cereus can produce the cereulide toxin when food is not stored correctly. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, cereulide is highly resistant to heat. Therefore, once formed, it cannot be eliminated by standard cooking or reheating methods.
Symptoms of poisoning typically appear rapidly-often between 30 minutes and six hours after ingestion. They include nausea, vomiting, and general gastrointestinal distress. While the condition usually resolves quickly with favourable outcomes, it can be serious in vulnerable groups such as infants.
Parents are advised to check if they possess any of the recalled batches. Furthermore, they should seek medical attention if their child exhibits sudden symptoms after feeding.
Get all of the news delivered to your phone via our WhatsApp Broadcast Channel .
