Infant formula poisonings expose weaknesses in UK checks and regulation, report finds

A recall of several brands of infant formula over contamination with a dangerous toxin exposed major weaknesses in surveillance, regulation, and public communication across UK government bodies, a report has concluded.1Earlier this year more than 60 batches of infant formula across several brands were pulled from shelves worldwide after cereulide, a bacterial toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, was detected.In a report published on 4 June the First Steps Nutrition Trust charity outlined several concerns about how seriously the issue was taken by the UK government and connected agencies.2In total, 61 reports of symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning were identified among children who had consumed affected products in the UK and its crown dependencies.1 But the report says the true number is likely to be higher given that contaminated products may have been on the UK market from May 2025, eight months before the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued its first...