Infant formula recalled in US due to presence of cereulide: Know what it is and how it can affect infants

Three batches of a2 Platinum Premium USA label infant formula 0-12 months have been recalled due to the presence of cereulide.Products with batch numbers 2210269454, 2210324609 and 2210321712 have been recalled. "The Product was distributed nationally through a2MC’s website, Amazon and Meijer stores as part of Operation Fly Formula. Importation rights expired on December 31st, 2025, and the Product has been discontinued and removed from sale prior to the initiation of the recall. The total number of units in the three batches is 63,078 of which an estimated 16,428 units were sold to consumers," US FDA has said.Cerulide is basically a toxin produced by a specific type of bacteria called Bacillus cereus. Well, Bacillus cereus is one of the less famous culprits, but it's hanging around in food more often than most people realize. And cereulide is what makes it dangerous.Here's how it works. Bacillus cereus produces this toxin called cereulide, and it can contaminate food—especially starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and pasta. The weird part? The bacteria might already be dead. You cook the food, kill the bacteria, but the toxin it created while it was alive is still sitting there in your meal. Heat doesn't destroy cereulide the way it destroys most bacteria. So you eat it without knowing."Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Illness occurs through the consumption of food contaminated with the toxin and preparing formula with hot water does not eliminate it. Symptoms typically develop within 30 minutes to six hours of ingestion and most often involve gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting that typically self-resolve within 24 hours. Infants are at greater risk due to their developing immune systems and can experience complications such as dehydration which require medical care," the US FDA has warned. Although no confirmed incidents of illness or harm have been reported, affected batches must not be used, it has said and added, "consumers who have purchased the Product are recommended to discontinue use of the Product and dispose of it immediately or return to their place of purchase for a refund. If your infant is experiencing symptoms described above, contact your health care provider immediately."