Food safety authorities across the Middle East have raised concerns over a specific batch of Aptamil Advance 1 POF infant formula after the potential presence of harmful bacterial toxins was identified during regulatory checks.
Regulators in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait have taken precautionary measures after traces of Bacillus cereus were detected in one of the production inputs used in the manufacturing process. The bacterium is known to produce cereulide, a toxin that may lead to gastrointestinal illness, including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and poses particular risk to infants.
The issue relates to a powdered infant formula intended for babies from birth to six months:
Authorities have clarified that the concern is limited to this specific batch and does not affect other Aptamil products currently on the market.
In the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Emirates Drug Establishment confirmed that the batch has been removed from major retail outlets, with distributors instructed to place remaining stocks on hold while investigations continue.
Oman’s Ministry of Health initiated a nationwide voluntary withdrawal of the same batch following notification from the manufacturer, stating that no related illnesses have been reported to date.
Kuwait’s regulatory authorities have also taken precautionary action in response to the potential presence of cereulide in the product.
The development comes amid heightened global scrutiny of infant formula safety. Earlier this month, Danone announced similar actions involving selected batches of infant and follow-on formula in the United Kingdom and European Union, after food safety authorities identified a possible risk of cereulide contamination.
Regulatory agencies across the Middle East said the measures reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen food and pharmaceutical safety systems, particularly for products intended for infants and other vulnerable populations, and emphasized the importance of early detection and rapid response to potential risks.