Infant Formula Recalled Over Cereulide Toxin Contamination — 63,000 Tins Affected
The a2 Milk Company recalled 63,078 tins of infant formula after detecting cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by Bacillus cereus bacteria. Preparing formula with hot water does not eliminate the toxin.
By 411 Press Newsroom3 min read
A toxin that cannot be destroyed by boiling water was found in infant formula sold across the United States.
On May 2, 2026, The a2 Milk Company announced a voluntary recall of three batches of its a2 Platinum Premium USA label infant formula (0-12 months) after detecting cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
Three batches totaling 63,078 tins are affected. The formula was sold nationwide through the company's website, Amazon, and Meijer stores.
Why This Toxin Is Different
Most bacterial contamination in food can be addressed through proper heating. Cereulide cannot. It is heat-stable, meaning that preparing formula with hot water — as parents are routinely instructed to do — does not eliminate it.
The toxin triggers gastrointestinal symptoms within 30 minutes to six hours of ingestion: nausea, vomiting, and in some cases diarrhea. In healthy adults, symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours.
Infants are not healthy adults. Their developing immune systems and smaller body mass make them significantly more vulnerable. Dehydration from repeated vomiting in an infant can escalate quickly and require medical intervention.
No confirmed illnesses have been reported as of May 2026, according to the FDA.
Which Products Are Affected
| Batch Number | Use-By Date |
|---|---|
| 2210269454 | July 15, 2026 |
| 2210321712 | January 15, 2027 |
| 2210324609 | January 21, 2027 |
The recalled product is a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula 0-12 months with a USA label. Check the batch number on the bottom of the tin.
How the Contamination Was Found
The recall was not triggered by illness reports. The a2 Milk Company initiated the recall after cereulide was detected through additional testing conducted in response to new guidance issued by New Zealand's food regulatory authority.
New Zealand updated its testing protocols for cereulide in dairy-based infant formula, prompting a2 to retest product already in distribution. The additional testing found the toxin.
This raises a question: if the contamination was only detected because a foreign regulator changed its testing standards, what does the existing U.S. testing framework miss?
What Parents Should Do
Stop using the recalled formula immediately. Do not feed it to your infant regardless of how the formula is prepared. Check the batch number on the tin against the three affected batch numbers listed above.
Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, or contact The a2 Milk Company at 1-877-632-2025.
If your infant consumed the recalled formula and shows symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, contact your pediatrician. Monitor for signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, sunken eyes, or unusual lethargy.
For the latest FDA recall alerts, visit the 411 Press FDA recall tracker or the product recalls hub.
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