The safety of baby food in Spain is once again under scrutiny after dozens of poisoning cases were detected among infants. The suspected cause is possible contamination of certain batches of formula with cereulide toxin. This incident has affected families nationwide, raising concerns among parents about the health of their youngest children.
The Spanish Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Sanidad) confirmed that from December to February, 41 cases with significant gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in babies who consumed products subject to recall. Thirteen children required hospitalization, and one was admitted to intensive care due to a concurrent respiratory infection. All affected have since been discharged, but the incident has prompted a large-scale inspection of baby food quality.
Scope and geography
Cases were recorded in ten autonomous communities, including Andalucía, Cataluña, the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, Murcia, La Rioja, and the Valencian Community. According to RUSSPAIN.COM, the average age of the affected infants was just four months. The main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by additional manifestations. Authorities point out that another ten cases with similar symptoms are also linked to the consumption of recalled brands, although in most of these, the specific batch number could not be determined.
The Ministry of Health promptly informed European bodies about the situation in order to strengthen monitoring and data sharing between countries. All information on new cases is sent to the Coordination Center for Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) and the National Center for Epidemiology (CNE). This enables authorities to track developments and respond promptly to potential new threats.
International context
The problem with cereulide has not been confined to Spain. According to experts, incidents involving this toxin have already been reported in 60 countries. In Europe, many states have alerted authorities to similar cases, though a unified system for identifying such incidents at the EU level has yet to be established. Spanish authorities continue to cooperate closely with their European counterparts to minimize health risks to children and prevent a recurrence of such situations.
Since the beginning of the incident, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has been regularly issuing warnings and updates on the progress of the investigation. All information is shared through European rapid data exchange mechanisms, enabling timely recalls of dangerous products and keeping the public informed.
Recent incidents
In recent years, Spain has already seen cases of baby formula recalls due to suspected contamination or failure to meet standards. For example, in 2023, several batches were withdrawn from sale after traces of bacteria were found, and in 2024, new requirements for quality control of baby food were discussed. Such incidents highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and prompt response by government agencies. Parents are increasingly paying attention to the origin and composition of products for infants, while manufacturers are forced to strengthen internal inspections. The issue of baby food safety remains one of the most sensitive topics for Spanish society.
