Baby Milk Powder: Cereulide

Baroness Neville-Rolfe Excerpts

Wednesday 4th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

That last point is something that will be looked at as part of workforce planning. I totally agree with the noble Baroness about the importance of the multidisciplinary team in supporting new mothers to find the right ways that are suitable for them and best for their baby—and I am glad the noble Baroness accepted that breastfeeding is not possible for everybody.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)]

My Lords, as the grandmother of a baby who was born pre-term, I was very interested in this incident. As far as I could make out, it seems to have been well publicised, and those who might be affected got to know of it very quickly. Is there any evidence that harm has been caused, or did the Food Standards Agency, which was set up to deal with these sorts of things, do a decent job on this occasion?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am certainly convinced that more than a decent job has been done on this occasion. I know that the FSA, along with the department and the UK Health Security Agency, have, as was said to me, been working non-stop since the incident was notified, and I am genuinely reassured by that. What I would say is that alternatives are available, there is no problem with the supply of alternatives and if anybody—grandmothers, mothers, parents, friends, or whoever—has concerns, they should check the NHS website and the FSA website and, if they remain concerned, they should seek guidance from a medical professional. There are people who are potentially affected, but, as I said, this is a live incident and it is being monitored.