Baby Food Recall Widens Across Europe Amid Toxin Concerns
A widespread recall of infant milk products from brands Aptamil and Milumil is underway in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France, following the detection of cereulide, a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The recalls, initiated as early as January, stem from updated recommendations regarding acceptable cereulide levels in infant formula.
On , Danone initiated a recall of specific production batches of Aptamil and Milumil in Austria, in coordination with the country’s food regulatory authority. This action follows similar recalls by Nestlé and Danone in Great Britain and other countries. Authorities are investigating a potential connection between the incidents.
The Vienna Market Office has been actively testing baby food for cereulide, and recent inspections revealed the presence of the toxin in Aptamil and Milumil products at levels deemed potentially hazardous to health. The Market Office has prohibited the sale of large quantities of children’s nutritional products, affecting over 90 different batches.
Cereulide and Potential Health Risks
Cereulide is a toxin that can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea in infants. According to health authorities, symptoms typically appear between 30 minutes and six hours after consumption. The toxin is remarkably heat-stable, meaning We see not destroyed by common cooking methods like boiling, frying, or pasteurization.
While some children experiencing these symptoms have also been diagnosed with seasonal viruses currently circulating, authorities report no unusual increase in hospital or health service reports of vomiting in children under one year of age for this time of year. Investigations are ongoing to limit any potential impact on public health.
Expanded Recall and Cross-Border Trade
Due to the possibility of cross-border trade between Germany and Austria, production batches sold in Germany are also being recalled. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set maximum levels on , for cereulide in infant milk, establishing a threshold of 0.054 micrograms per liter in infant milk and 0.1 micrograms per liter in follow-on milk. EFSA has also proposed an acute permissible daily dose (ARfD) of 0.014 micrograms per kilogram of body weight for cereulide in infants.
The recall is linked to a contaminated oil supplied by a Chinese manufacturer, used as an ingredient in numerous infant formula products. Several manufacturers, including Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis, have initiated recalls in over 60 countries since late 2025.
Consumer Advice and Product Information
Parents concerned about their child’s health are advised to consult with their pediatrician. Consumers are urged not to use the affected products and to return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund, even without a receipt.
Danone has provided a list of affected products, including specific batch numbers and expiration dates, which can be found on the websites aptaclub.at and milupa.at. The AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety) is also providing information on warnings and product recalls.
Affected Products (as of February 5, 2026):
- Aptamil Pronutra Pre 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 05.07.2026, 09.07.2026, 13.07.2026, 23.07.2026, 04.08.2026, 06.08.2026, 03.09.2026, 14.10.2026, 17.10.2026, 30.10.2026, 10.11.2026, 28.11.2026, 26.12.2026, 04.12.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra Pre 1,2 kg DE – Expiry date: 11.08.2026, 11.09.2026, 13.11.2026, 19.11.2026, 26.11.2026, 04.12.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra Pre 400g AT – Expiry dates: 14.07.2026, 08.10.2026, 28.11.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra Pre 700g AT – Expiry dates: 17.09.2026, 12.11.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra 1 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 10.07.2026, 27.07.2026, 28.07.2026, 07.08.2026, 25.08.2026, 01.09.2026, 02.09.2026, 15.10.2026, 10.11.2026, 27.11.2026, 03.12.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra 1 1,2 kg DE – Expiry dates: 26.11.2026, 10.12.2026
- Aptamil Pronutra 2 1,2 kg DE – Expiry dates: 29.07.2026, 19.08.2026, 25.11.2026, 29.11.2026, 02.01.2027
- Aptamil Pronutra 2 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 08.06.2026, 11.07.2026, 04.07.2026, 27.07.2026, 31.08.2026, 15.09.2026, 18.09.2026, 27.10.2026, 21.11.2026, 30.11.2026, 05.12.2026, 19.12.2026, 08.01.2027, 09.01.2027
- Aptamil Pronutra 3 800g DE – Expiry dates: 11.07.2026, 28.07.2026, 02.08.2026, 30.08.2026, 10.09.2026, 15.09.2026, 07.11.2026, 29.11.2026, 11.12.2026, 18.12.2026
- Aptamil Profutura DuoAdvance Pre 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 11.02.2027, 20.02.2027, 14.03.2027, 13.04.2027, 20.04.2027, 30.04.2027, 08.05.2027, 01.06.2027, 08.06.2027, 17.09.2027
- Aptamil Profutura DuoAdvance 1 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 03.12.2026, 17.12.2026, 08.01.2027, 12.02.2027, 21.02.2027, 18.03.2027, 21.04.2027, 30.04.2027, 08.05.2027, 08.06.2027, 27.09.2027
- Aptamil Profutura DuoAdvance 2 800g DE/AT – Expiry dates: 02.12.2026, 07.01.2027, 20.01.2027, 10.02.2027, 16.02.2027, 19.04.2027, 01.05.2027, 18.05.2027, 14.06.2027, 05.07.2027, 04.08.2027, 05.08.2027, 22.08.2027, 03.09.2027, 02.11.2027, 11.11.2027
- Milumil Pre 1,2 kg (Deutschland) – Expiry dates: 11.07.2026, 16.07.2026, 13.08.2026, 20.08.2026, 15.10.2026, 20.11.2026, 03.12.2026, 24.12.2026, 15.01.2027, 19.02.2027
- Milumil Pre 800g (Österreich) – Expiry dates: 10.06.2026, 07.07.2026, 24.07.2026, 18.08.2026, 27.09.2026, 09.11.2026, 22.11.2026, 11.12.2026
- Milumil 1 800g (Österreich) – Expiry dates: 20.09.2026, 29.10.2026, 04.02.2027
The Vienna Market Office’s hotline, 4000-8090, is available during the week and on weekends to provide comprehensive information.
