The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has banned the import, sale and use of two BabyBio infant formula products in the Maldives after toxic contamination was detected in specific batches.

The authority said the action follows information published on the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, under which French authorities ordered the affected products to be withdrawn from the market, prohibited from sale and destroyed. The decision was taken after a toxic substance known as cereulide was found in certain batches of BabyBio infant formula.

MFDA stated cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Consumption of products contaminated with this substance can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The affected products include BabyBio Optima 1 infant formula, with contamination identified in batch code 900932 (400 grams) and batch code 894408 (800 grams). The substance was also detected in BabyBio Caprea 1 infant formula, in batch codes 900035 and 899014, both in 800-gram packaging.

As a precautionary measure to protect public health, the MFDA has imposed a ban on the import, sale and use of the affected BabyBio products in the Maldives.