How a Dangerous Food Toxin Ended Up in Baby Formula: QuickTake

A little-known food toxin called cereulide is at the center of a global safety scareand has led to a wave of infant formula recalls worldwide from Nestlé SA, Danone SA and Groupe Lactalis.

Though manufacturers said there were no confirmed illnesses linked to the toxin, which can cause food poisoning, authorities in multiple countries were investigating possible cases.

Here’s what to know about cereulide and how it ended up in baby formula.

What is cereulide?

Cereulide is a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus bacteria strains. The strains are common in the environment and, when they grow in ...