22 January 2026 was the United States’ final day as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) after a year of polemic health policy decisions.

The withdrawal process began on 20 January 2025, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order to formally leave the international agency, concluding a year later as the United Nations formally acknowledged the departure. This marked Trump’s second attempt to exit the WHO, following a previous effort in 2020.

The U.S. government cited multiple reasons for leaving the WHO, including the organisation’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its response to other global health crises, its failure to implement urgent reforms, and concerns about undue political influence from member states. Over the last decade, the United States contributed between $160 million and $815 million annually to the WHO, whose budget ranges from $2 billion to $3 billion.

Following the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), imposed a government-wide communication pause. Agencies were prohibited from updating websites, releasing case numbers, issuing health advisories, posting on social media, and meeting with external partners. While limited communications resumed after a few weeks, U.S. health agencies remained largely disengaged from the WHO, affecting collaboration with international counterparts, including the European and African disease prevention centres.

The United States also declined to endorse the WHO’s legally binding Pandemic Agreement, signed in May 2025 in Geneva. The agreement aims to strengthen preparedness, prevent future pandemics, and ensure equitable access to medical supplies like vaccines. The Trump administration dissolved the Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense, which had coordinated pandemic response across U.S. agencies following the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak.

Domestically, the U.S. shifted its public health guidance. In early 2026, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy unveiled new dietary guidelines prioritising animal proteins such as red meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs, diverging from WHO recommendations that emphasise plant-based proteins. Vaccine recommendations were also reduced from 17 to 11, with immunisations for hepatitis A and B, influenza, meningococcal disease, and chickenpox removed from universal guidance. Officials cited Denmark, which recommends 10 vaccines, as a model, though critics warned against applying other countries’ policies without adaptation.

International aid was affected as well, with the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after six decades of operation. In 2023, the United States provided $71.9 billion in foreign aid, including $16.1 billion for global health initiatives. A study in The Lancet warned that continued reductions could result in an additional 14.1 million deaths worldwide by 2030, including 4.5 million children under five.

The U.S. withdrawal marks a significant realignment of American health policy, distancing the country from multilateral health cooperation and raising concerns about the global response to future health emergencies.

Three of the world’s largest dairy companies, Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis, have recalled infant formula products worldwide following the detection of cereulide contamination, a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps.

The contamination has been traced to a single Chinese supplier of ARA (arachidonic acid) oil, a key ingredient in premium infant formulas. Lactalis recently announced the recall of six batches of its Picot brand, which had been distributed across 18 countries. The affected formula has been on sale since January 2025, with expiration dates extending up to March 2027.

“Upon receiving this alert, LNS (Lactalis Nutrition Santé) immediately initiated testing through an accredited independent laboratory to assess the potentially affected products,” the company said in a statement. Lactalis noted that no complaints or reports related to consumption of the products have been received from French authorities so far.

Danone’s recall is smaller, involving only a single batch produced in Thailand. The recall was requested by Singapore’s Food Agency before the batch reached the market. A company spokesperson told Euronews Health that all products undergo rigorous testing and comply with both international and local regulations. “All controls confirm that the products are safe and fully compliant, and no irregularities in relation to Bacillus cereus or Good Manufacturing Practices have been identified,” the spokesperson said.

Nestlé was the first company to withdraw its formula from over 60 countries after detecting contamination at a facility in the Netherlands. The recall, which includes multiple brands such as SMA, Beba, Guigoz, and Alfamino, is one of Nestlé’s largest ever. “Food safety and the wellbeing of all infants remain our top priority,” the company said. “We understand that this news may cause concern, and we are committed to providing clear, transparent information and support for parents and caregivers throughout this process.”

However, consumer groups have questioned Nestlé’s transparency. Foodwatch Netherlands reported that the company confirmed the contamination in early December 2025, but public recalls did not begin until January 2026. Nicole van Gemert, director of foodwatch Netherlands, criticised the delayed communication: “How does Nestlé, which is supposed to ensure immediate traceability of sensitive baby products, explain the piecemeal dissemination of information and late recalls in many countries?”

Despite the recalls, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the affected formula products. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and parents are advised to check the batch numbers of formulas they have purchased to ensure they are not using contaminated products.

The recalls highlight ongoing challenges in global food safety and supply chains, particularly for infant nutrition products, where contamination can pose significant risks and trigger international concern.

A new artificial intelligence software designed to enhance prenatal ultrasound screenings has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), offering a potential boost to the detection of fetal abnormalities.

Developed by the American start-up BioticsAI, the tool integrates with existing ultrasound machines to analyze images in real time, highlighting potential issues during scans. Prenatal ultrasounds are widely used throughout pregnancy to identify potential problems in a developing fetus, including malformations in organs or limbs. Yet studies suggest that routine scans can miss a significant number of abnormalities.

According to research, a single early scan performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy detects only about 38 percent of birth defects. A mid-pregnancy scan, typically conducted between 18 and 24 weeks, identifies roughly 51 percent of abnormalities. When both scans are performed, detection rises to 84 percent, leaving a remaining gap in diagnosis.

BioticsAI’s software works by analyzing each fetal image as it is captured. It evaluates image quality, suggesting adjustments to ensure a clear view of the fetus, and checks whether all parts of the baby are visible. Using data patterns drawn from a global database, the system can detect anomalies, including heart or limb defects, and flag them for the doctor during the scan. After the examination, the software generates a report compiling all findings for clinical review.

Developers say the tool can also save healthcare professionals roughly eight minutes per patient in documentation time. The FDA’s clearance confirms that the software meets medical device performance standards and can be safely integrated into current ultrasound systems.

The approval comes amid ongoing challenges in prenatal care. In Europe, major congenital anomalies occur in about 23.9 per 10,000 births. AI-driven tools are emerging as a promising supplement to conventional scans. French companies Diagnoly and Sonio Detect have also received approval for AI-assisted ultrasound solutions, which automatically identify fetal structures and detect potential heart issues.

Experts say integrating AI into prenatal care could improve early detection rates and help doctors provide timely interventions or monitoring. Real-time feedback during scans ensures that images are complete and abnormalities are less likely to be missed.

BioticsAI’s FDA-cleared tool is expected to be rolled out in clinics across the United States, offering clinicians an additional layer of support in detecting congenital abnormalities. As AI technologies continue to expand in healthcare, prenatal care is emerging as a key area where machine learning can complement human expertise, improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.