Fast, reliable and validated Cereulide analysis
Following recent recalls in the baby food market, there has been a significant increase in attention regarding Cereulide contamination. Cereulide is a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus and poses a serious risk, particularly to baby food and infant formula.
Normec Foodcare offers validated in-house Cereulide analyses, enabling food producers to act quickly, with confidence and in accordance with regulations.
What is Cereulide?
Cereulide is a cyclic peptide toxin that can form during bacterial growth under improper storage or processing conditions. Once formed, Cereulide cannot be destroyed by heat treatment, making prevention, monitoring and analytical testing essential.
Cereulide detection is particularly critical in baby food and products for young children, where tolerance levels are extremely low and the reputational damage can be significant.
Why Normec Foodcare
- Proven expertise in the analysis of high-risk foodstuffs
- Rapid response following market incidents and product recalls
- Reliable, validated methods for international clients
- Part of a leading European Testing, Inspection & Certification group
Why cereulide analysis is crucial
- Cereulide causes acute nausea and vomiting, usually within 6 hours
- Severe cases can lead to liver damage or cerebral oedema
- There is no universally applicable legal limit, leading to regulatory uncertainty
- Baby food manufacturers face a zero-tolerance expectation from the market
Early detection through reliable analysis is therefore essential for risk management, quality assurance and the confidence of regulators.
Our Cereulide analysis
Our laboratories have rapidly developed and validated a robust LC-MS/MS method for the reliable determination of Cereulide in a wide range of food matrices.
Service specifications
- Method: LC-MS/MS
- Limit of quantification (LOQ): 0.1 µg/kg
- Turnaround time: 3–5 working days
- Sample size required: 50–100 g
- Suitable for: infant formula, baby food, ingredients, starchy products and all other foodstuffs
- Accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory environment
Which products?
Cereulide analysis is particularly relevant for:
- Infant formula and baby food
- Ingredients for baby food
- Starch-rich products (e.g. rice ingredients, cereals)
- Ready-to-eat products with a longer shelf life
Need reassurance? We're here to help.
Are you a manufacturer of baby food or infant formula, a supplier of ingredients, or a QA manager, and do you need clarity following recent market developments? Our specialists are here to help. Quick answers, reliable results, complete confidentiality.