Nestle says Indian baby food unaffected amid global recall: How formula food can get contaminated

The suspected contaminant, cereulide, is a toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism commonly found in soil. “This toxin can cause foodborne illness and is heat-stable, meaning it cannot be destroyed by boiling or reheating food. It is a potent cytotoxin, something that damages cells and destroys mitochondria, the powerhouse of each cell. It causes nausea and vomiting and may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in babies. It also leads to diarrhoea,” says senior paediatrician Dr Sanjeev Bagai.

What is cereulide?

It is a food poisoning toxin produced by bacteria, the spores of which get activated in starchy foods or food that’s left out at room temperature for too long. The bacteria can get into baby formula through cereals or as in this case, oils from suppliers.

“The bacteria don’t need to multiply much as even a slight amount of cereulide can cause damage because of its heat-resistant properties. This means it overrides cooking or even hot water added to the mix,” says Dr Bagai.

How does it affect babies?

Symptoms linked to cereulide may include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps or unusual lethargy. These can appear between 30 minutes to 6 hours after exposure and typically resolve within 24 hours once you act on it. “Cereulide causes severe gut inflammation,” says Dr Bagai.

What about other contaminants in baby food?

Beyond cereulide, this situation raises broader concerns about chemical and contaminant exposure in infant formula. This includes bacterial toxins, heavy metals such as lead or arsenic, and trace industrial chemicals that can enter the food chain during production or processing. Repeated or high exposure to these substances is linked to risks affecting growth, brain development and long-term health.

The formula that we need to understand is basically made from animal milk — most commonly cow’s milk, and sometimes buffalo milk. “This animal milk is processed extensively to make it suitable for newborn babies or infants. What we need to understand is that across the world, especially in developing countries, there is significant chemical pollution due to excessive use of fertilizers, chemicals, industrialization and poor water quality. As a result, cows consume contaminated water and fodder grown in polluted soil, leading them to ingest heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium,” says Dr Poonam Sidana, Director of Neonatology and Paediatrics at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

Some of these elements may be required in very small amounts, but beyond a certain limit, their presence in the milk consumed by babies can become toxic. Further, warns Dr Sidana, when this milk is processed, it passes through multiple machines, bottles, and packaging materials. “During this process, traces of various chemicals — some of which are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down — can enter the milk. While bacteria and microbes are usually heat-sensitive and may be destroyed during processing or while parents prepare the formula, chemicals do not get destroyed by heat,” she explains.

Another important factor is the quality of water used to prepare formula milk. “In the Indian scenario, water quality is often poor. Studies from the US and European countries also show that when cows are reared near industrial areas, the milk sourced from those regions may contain higher levels of toxins. What the cows are fed, the water they drink, and even contaminated soil they ingest all contribute to a higher concentration of chemicals in the milk, which eventually makes its way into infant formula,” says Dr Sidana.

Why breastfeeding is emphasised

Breastfeeding is the safest and most natural way to protect a baby. “Unless the mother is consuming an extremely poor diet or is heavily exposed to harmful chemicals, breastfeeding remains the surest way to keep the baby safe. This is especially important because babies’ systems are still developing. Nearly 85–90% of brain development occurs in the first two years of life, which is also when babies may consume large amounts of formula. Exposure to contaminated formula during this critical period can affect brain development and may lead to behavioural, learning, and other organ-related issues later in life,” says Dr Sidana.

For parents who must use formula due to medical reasons, it is essential to choose a standard, reputable brand, stay alert to recalls or safety alerts in the media and ensure proper preparation practices.