Aptamil baby formula sold in Malta not affected by global recall
Sole importer says none of the locally sold products fall within batches recalled over fears of food poisoning toxin
Aptamil baby formula imported and sold in Malta has not been impacted by a global recall triggered for fear that a batch may contain a toxin which can cause food poisoning, according to the product’s sole importer.
“None of our formulas in Malta sold by Pemix are in the scope of this targeted recall of a limited number of batches,” said a spokesperson for the sole importers and distributors of Danone’s Aptamil.
This week, the French multinational food-product corporation - Danone - issued a recall affecting 800g packs of Aptamil 1 From Birth First infant milk with an expiry date of October 31, 2026.
This did not impact Malta with the spokesperson adding: “Danone never compromises on food safety and we would like to reassure parents that our infant formula products are safe. All Danone baby formulas are produced under strict food safety and quality standards and undergo rigorous controls before leaving our factories. Our controls have confirmed our products are safe and compliant with safety regulations.”
However the recall impacted various countries, including the UK, Ireland and France. French investigators are looking into the cause of death of two infants who allegedly consumed Nestlé milk that was recalled earlier this month.
The Swiss food giant Nestlé announced a global recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries as a precautionary measure. Nestlé recalled specific batches of its SMA and NAN infant formula.
Nestlé Malta had advised customers not to consume two batches of infant formula products as a precautionary measure, following the global. The products were SMA First Infant Milk 1 From Birth (Batch 51350346AA with the expiration date 5/31/2027) and SMA Advanced First Infant Milk 1 From Birth (Batch 51450742F1 with an expiry date of 5/25/2027).
Meanwhile, the international Food Standards Agency confirmed that its ongoing investigations identified the contamination that led to both the Nestlé SMA and Danone Aptamil recalls as stemming from a single third-party provider.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus and can cause food poisoning. The recall is associated with a contaminated raw ingredient, ARA oil, which was manufactured in China and added as an ingredient in base powder used to make infant and follow-on formula.