Nestlé has announced a worldwide recall of certain baby formula products after identifying a potential contamination risk involving a toxin that can cause food poisoning. The global food and beverage company said specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were found to be unsafe for consumption and should not be fed to babies as a precautionary measure.
According to the company, the affected products were distributed across multiple countries and may contain cereulide, a toxin known to trigger symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Cereulide is produced by certain strains of the Bacillus cereus bacterium and is associated with rapid-onset food poisoning. Health authorities have warned that the toxin is resistant to heat and is unlikely to be neutralised during normal preparation of infant formula, including the use of boiling water.
Nestlé said there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recalled products so far, but the decision to withdraw them from the market was taken “out of an abundance of caution”. Emphasising its commitment to consumer safety, the company said the wellbeing of infants remains its highest priority and issued an apology to parents, caregivers and customers for the concern caused by the recall.
The company confirmed that the recall applies globally. In Europe, the affected batches were sold in several countries including France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden. Nestlé stressed that all other products and unaffected batches of the same formulas remain safe for consumption. Customers who have purchased the recalled items have been assured of refunds.
Nestlé also clarified that the issue originated from an ingredient supplied by one of its external suppliers, prompting the precautionary action. In France, the company said it is carrying out a preventive and voluntary recall of certain batches of its Guigoz and Nidal infant formulas. In Germany, the same products are marketed under the names Beba and Alfamino.
In the United Kingdom, details of the affected batch numbers have been published on Nestlé’s UK website and are also available through the Food Standards Agency website. Consumers have been advised to carefully check the codes printed on the base of tins or boxes for powdered formulas, as well as on the outer packaging and the side or top of containers for ready-to-feed products.
The Food Standards Agency has issued a warning urging parents and caregivers not to use the recalled products under any circumstances. Jane Rawling, the agency’s head of incidents, said urgent action is being taken to ensure that all affected items are removed from shelves. She reassured families that the recall is a precautionary step and that authorities are working closely with the company to manage the situation.
Rawling advised parents who may have already fed the affected formula to their babies to remain vigilant and seek medical advice if they have any health concerns. She said healthcare professionals can be contacted through general practitioners or by calling NHS 111 for guidance.
The recall highlights ongoing concerns around food safety in infant nutrition products, with regulators and manufacturers under pressure to act swiftly at any sign of potential risk. Nestlé said it continues to cooperate fully with food safety authorities and is reviewing its supply chain processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
