GENEVA

Health authorities in Switzerland and Belgium have issued warnings to parents after infant formula from different manufacturers was found to be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin linked to illness in babies.

In Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (OSAV) said on Monday that the infant formula from different manufacturers was affected, including some products sold under the BEBA, Alfamino, Bimbosan, Aptamil, and Babybio brands.

“Due to the complexity of international supply chains, it is currently not completely excluded that other products will be affected,” OSAV said in a statement.

The agency said it is in close contact with those responsible for the EU and World Health Organization early warning systems to quickly identify any additional contaminated products.

Authorities said several illness symptoms have been reported and that they are examining a possible link to the recalled products.

OSAV urged parents not to use any recalled products from Nestle, Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition, Rossmann, Danone, and Migros.

Cereulide is a toxin produced by certain bacteria and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the office said. Symptoms typically appear within five hours of consumption and usually last between six and 24 hours.

The toxin is highly heat-resistant and is not destroyed by cooking, OSAV warned.

Authorities are also assessing whether the cereulide contamination levels in the recalled products exceeded the European Food Safety Authority’s acute reference dose and therefore posed a danger.

“This issue is currently under investigation,” the office said.

In Belgium, the Flemish Department of Healthcare confirmed that five infants have fallen ill after consuming a Nestlé product from the recalled group, broadcaster VRT reported on Tuesday.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of cereulide, though all cases reported only mild symptoms. Previously, only two cases had been reported.

Authorities urged parents to check their infant formula and stop using any recalled products immediately, emphasizing that safety measures remain in place while investigations continue.