Infant formula sold on Amazon and at Meijer stores has been voluntarily recalled by the New Zealand-based a2 Milk Company.
Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports "no confirmed incidents of illness or harm have been reported," the agency wants people to dispose of imported a2 Platinum Premium USA label infant formula 0-12 months with the following batch numbers: 2210269454, 2210324609, 2210321712.
The recall was reportedly initiated after cereulide, a toxin, was detected through additional testing in accordance with guidance recently issued by New Zealand's food regulatory authority.
"The recall is isolated to the USA label Product, which has a different formulation and relevant ingredient to the English label a2 Platinum infant formula sold in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam and through cross border channels into China,” the company said in a press release.
The a2 formula was imported during Operation Fly Formula, according to the company and FDA. The 2022 initiative used government planes and personnel to accelerate shipments of infant formula during a national shortage in the United States. The FDA reports that a total of 16,428 affected tins were sold and that the product was discontinued prior to the recall.
Recent rash of cereulide contamination
Cereulide is produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The toxin is heat-stable so boiling water will not destroy it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the symptoms of cereulide illness usually appear within 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion. It can include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain with risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be particularly severe in infants.
From December 2016 to February 2026, at least 99 countries and territories have received infant formula products that were subject to recalls because of cereulide contamination. The WHO said in a March 13 press release that at least 144 suspected and confirmed cases were reported across 10 countries.
"The full root cause analysis and complete traceability of all affected batches remains under investigation," said the international health agency.
