The Health Ministry announced the cause of death for a four-week-old baby who passed away at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital as respiratory failure on Friday.
The announcement was made after the conclusion of an external review committee ordered by the Director General of the Health Ministry after the infant’s death was reported on February 7.
The Health Ministry investigation revealed that the baby had consumed Nutrilon products from a recalled batch before its death.
The Nutrilon formula, which was recalled by Teva Israel in late January, was pulled from shelves due to toxin levels exceeding acceptable threshold values.
Cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of the bacteria Bacillus cereus, was found in multiple batches of Nutrilon formula. The presence of the toxin was caused by a malfunction in the production process of the baby formula, a Health Ministry statement published at the time of the recalls stated.
The consumption of Cereulide toxin can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramps in infants, but it has not been proven to cause death.
Further testing, investigation ordered by Health Ministry
According to the Health Ministry statement, the National Center for Forensic Medicine determined that the infant’s death in Ashdod was not caused by Cereulide consumption.
Despite Cereulide toxicity being ruled out, the Health Ministry ordered that additional tests be conducted and stated that “the external review committee will also examine this issue,” adding that the committee's further conclusions will determine whether any additional action is needed.
The Health Ministry stated that they share the family of the infant’s grief and affirmed that it will “continue to act with full transparency, thoroughly and quickly to clarify the circumstances of the case, and will update on the findings and conclusions of the examination.”
Dr. Itay Gal contributed to this report.