MFDA bans selected BabyBio infant formula products

Maldives Food and Drug Authority has banned the import, sale and use of certain BabyBio infant formula products in the Maldives after a toxic substance was detected in a batch.

The authority said on Sunday that tests found the presence of cereulide in some batches of BabyBio infant formula manufactured in France.

According to the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, French authorities have ordered the affected products to be withdrawn from the market, prohibited from sale and destroyed.

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority said cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Exposure to products contaminated with the substance may cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

As a precautionary measure, the authority said two BabyBio products have been prohibited from being imported into, sold in or used in the Maldives.