Nestle Issues Global Recall of Some Baby Formula Products Over Toxin Fears
Nestle has issued a global recall of some baby formula products over concerns they contain a toxin which can cause food poisoning.
The food and drink giant said specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies.
The batches were sold across the world, Nestle said, and they potentially contain cereulide, which can trigger nausea and vomiting when consumed.
The company said there had been no confirmed reports of illness associated with the products, but was recalling them “out of an abundance of caution”.
Nestle said that it had tested all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in production of its potentially affected infant nutrition products after a quality issue was detected in an ingredient from a leading supplier.
It is now ramping up production and activating alternative suppliers of the acid oil to maintain supply.
Recalled in 37 Countries
It is reported that the recall has now widened to Africa, the Americas and Asia. The precautionary recall now spans at least 37 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the Bacillus cereus bacteria that can cause food poisoning symptoms, which can be quick to develop and include vomiting and stomach cramps.
It is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, using boiling water or when making the infant milk, the UK Food Standards Agency warned.
Countries’ Action
Brazil’s health ministry said the Nestle recall was a preventative measure after the toxin had been detected in products originating in the Netherlands.
Nestle Australia said the batches recalled there had been manufactured in Switzerland, while Nestle China said it was recalling formula batches imported from Europe.
A notice from South Africa’s National Consumer Commission said that the NAN infant formula being recalled was produced in June 2025 and has a lifespan of about 18 months. “It was also exported to Namibia and Eswatini,” the commission said.
Austria’s health ministry said that the recall affected 800-plus products from more than 10 factories and was the largest in Nestle’s history. A Nestle spokesperson could not verify this.
References: Channel News Asia (8 January 2026); BBC News (6 January 2026)
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