First domestic cases

Baby milk recall: Four children ill

Dangerous toxin in infant formula – four cases of cereulide poisoning have now been detected in Austria.(Bild: Olga Yastremska, New Africa, Africa Studio)

The scandal surrounding contaminated baby food is affecting Austria much more severely than previously assumed: there are at least four suspected cases of poisoning in the country – one of the children had to be treated in hospital.

According to a recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) reported four suspected cases of cereulide poisoning in infants.

Ministry: "Suspicion has been confirmed"
The Ministry of Health also confirmed the four suspected cases on Thursday evening: "The Austrian authorities currently have four cases of babies in which the suspicion of cereulide poisoning has been confirmed. The cases in question date from calendar weeks 52 (2025), five and six," it said.

Since Nestlé's initial report of a possible cereulide suspicion, the responsible authorities have "immediately launched a comprehensive testing program." This involves testing products on the market as well as taking samples in suspected medical cases.

Hospital treatment necessary
The affected children were between zero and eleven months old. The toxin cereulide was detected in the food consumed by one infant. Two other children had consumed products from recalled batches, and the fourth child had consumed a product from a non-recalled batch.

One of the babies had to be hospitalized, but all the others have already recovered. The symptoms occurred between January 26 and February 6, 2026.

26 cases in hospital across Europe
By mid-February 2026, authorities across Europe had reported at least 26 babies who were hospitalized with suspected cereulide poisoning after consuming recalled infant formula – all of whom were discharged after treatment.

Other affected countries reported numerous cases:

• Belgium: eight babies, all recovered after confirmed consumption of recalled products.

• Denmark: Parents of around 32 children reported gastrointestinal symptoms.

• France: eleven babies treated in hospital, all recovered; three deaths are also being investigated, although a link to recalled baby food has not yet been confirmed.

• Luxembourg: three infants examined, two hospitalized for dehydration, all recovered.

• Spain: 41 babies with gastrointestinal complaints, 13 hospitalized, all discharged.

• United Kingdom: 44 babies with symptoms after consuming the affected products.

The most recent contamination reported to the ECDC dates from February 6, 2026.

Cereulide in baby food

• Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by certain bacteria (Bacillus cereus).
• In European recalls, cereulide was first detected in baby food containing arachidonic acid oil from China.
• Affected products: Primarily infant formula and preparations containing arachidonic acid oil.
• Cereulide can cause diarrhea and vomiting in young children.
• As the toxin is heat-stable, even heated products can remain contaminated.

French public prosecutor's office already investigating
Investigations into the source of contamination are underway in seven countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In France, the public prosecutor's office has launched investigations against five dairy companies to examine possible criminal liability for the distribution of contaminated products.

The NGO Foodwatch criticized that the communication of the EU authorities had severely shaken the confidence of parents. Around 200 parents reported their own observations of gastrointestinal complaints in their children to the association, including cases after consumption of batches that had not been officially recalled.

EU authority considers danger already contained
Nevertheless, EFSA and ECDC now consider the general risk of poisoning for young children to be largely eliminated. "Given the scale of the recalls, the current likelihood of exposure to contaminated infant formula is low," the authorities said.

However, cases could still occur if recalled products have not been returned. Affected parents should continue to pay attention to recall lists and seek medical advice if symptoms occur.