Something you purchased has been recalled. What does that mean?
What happens if something you purchase is recalled? Is it voluntary or mandatory? And what does it mean for you?
A New Zealand-based dairy company has recalled thousands of lots of its premium baby formula due to toxins that can cause nausea and vomiting.
On Saturday, May 2, a company called A2 Milk Company recalled 63,078 units of A2 Platinum Premium infant formula for infants ages 0 to 12 months. According to a recall notice posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website, customers purchased 16,428 units of infant formula.
According to the a2 Milk Company, this milk may contain cereuride toxin, which is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus.
“Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Illness is caused by ingesting food contaminated with this toxin, and preparing infant formula with boiling water does not remove the toxin,” the company wrote in its recall statement.
The company said the recall was due to new guidelines issued by New Zealand’s food regulator. The company announced the recall after tests detected cereuride in the formula, saying an ingredient in the formula was likely the culprit.
According to Reuters, the brand’s affiliate company Synlate Milk produced the milk. Sinleit said the company was manufacturing the product under proper guidance at the time.
How does this toxin affect infants?
Symptoms usually develop within 30 minutes to six hours after an infant ingests the toxin, A2 Milk Company said, adding that these symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually last about 24 hours.
“Infants are at greater risk because they have developed immune systems and can experience complications such as dehydration that require medical attention,” the company said, later saying there were no reports of illness as of May 2026.
The product was sold nationally on the a2 Milk Company website, Amazon, and Meijer stores. The company announced that the import rights expired on December 31st. The products were in circulation from August 27, 2025 to April 1, 2026, A2 Milk Company confirmed to USA TODAY this week.
Which products have been recalled?
The company says the batch number and expiration date are written on the bottom of each can.
The recalled batches include:
- 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210269454, use by July 15, 2026
- 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210321712, use by January 15, 2027
- 31.7 oz can, batch number 2210324609, use by January 21, 2027
What if I have formula milk?
A2 Milk Company said anyone who purchased the recalled formula should either throw it away or return it to the store immediately for a refund.
Customers who need to report an illness can use FDA’s SmartHub or create and submit a Medwatch report online.
Customers can also request a report form by downloading the form at www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda or by calling 1-800-332-1088. Then, fill out the form and return it by mail or fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
Customers with questions should call a2 Milk Company at 1-844-422-6455 or visit a2platinum.com Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Please send your email to: sdmartin@usatoday.com.
