BRUSSELS — European infants face a low risk of exposure to the cereulide toxin in formula milk following large-scale recalls across the continent, according to a joint assessment by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The agencies released their rapid outbreak assessment on Thursday. It concluded that control measures implemented earlier this month have sharply reduced the chances of babies encountering contaminated products. "The likelihood of exposure to contaminated products has decreased and is considered low," the agencies stated in a press release.

Reports of gastrointestinal issues in infants emerged from seven European countries. Health officials linked the illnesses to formula contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Babies in those nations fell sick after consuming the products, prompting immediate action from regulators.

Recalls swept through the EU starting in early October. Manufacturers pulled batches from shelves in response to contamination alerts. The swift response, the agencies said, stemmed the spread effectively. "Large-scale control measures implemented in the EU" made the difference, their report noted.

Even with the lowered exposure risk, the potential effects of cereulide remain a concern. The assessment rated the impact of the toxin as "low to moderate." Younger babies face higher vulnerability. Symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea, though most cases resolve without long-term harm.

Investigators traced the outbreak to specific production lots. Testing confirmed cereulide presence in samples from the affected formulas. No deaths have been reported, but authorities urged parents to check labels and discard any recalled items.

The European Food Safety Authority, known as EFSA, leads on food risks. The ECDC handles disease outbreaks. Their collaboration sped up the evaluation. The report draws on data from national health agencies in the seven reporting countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Regulators continue monitoring. They advised heightened vigilance for any new cases. Formula remains a cornerstone of infant nutrition. Parents should consult pediatricians if babies show signs of illness, officials said.

This incident highlights vulnerabilities in global supply chains for baby food. Past scares, like melamine in Chinese milk in 2008, led to tighter EU standards. Cereulide episodes are rare but underscore the need for rigorous testing.

EFSA and ECDC plan follow-up reports. They will assess long-term trends and refine guidelines. For now, the all-clear on exposure risk brings relief to worried families.