Nestlé has announced a global recall of certain baby formula products due to safety concerns. The company confirmed that specific batches of SMA infant formula and follow‑on formula may contain cereulide. This toxin can cause food poisoning symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. Nestlé distributed the products worldwide but warned that they are unsafe for infant consumption. The company noted that no confirmed cases of illness exist. Still, Nestlé initiated the recall out of caution to protect consumers.
“The safety and wellbeing of babies is our absolute priority,” Nestle said. “We sincerely apologise for any concern or inconvenience caused to parents, caregivers, and customers.”
The company confirmed to the BBC that the recall was global. Retailers sold the affected products in several European countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, and Sweden.
Nestlé stressed that all other products and batches not recalled remain safe for consumers to eat and drink.
Nestlé promised refunds for customers and explained that one of its suppliers caused the problem by providing a faulty ingredient.
Nestle France said it was carrying out a “preventive and voluntary recall” of certain batches of its Guigoz and Nidal infant formulas.
In Germany, the formula products are called Beba and Alfamino.
Batch numbers of the affected productsin the UK can be found on Nestle’s UK website, or through food.gov.uk.
The company advises customers to check the corresponding code on the base of the tin or box for powdered formulas, and on the base, side, or top of the container for ready‑to‑feed formulas.
Some strains of Bacillus cereus bacteria produce cereulide, a toxin that quickly causes food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and stomach cramps. Cooking, boiling water, or preparing infant milk do not deactivate or destroy this toxin, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned.
The FSA’s head of incidents, Jane Rawling, said parents, guardians and caregivers should not feed infants or young children the affected products.
She added: “I want to reassure parents, guardians, and caregivers that we are taking urgent action to protect them. We are removing all affected products from sale as a precaution.”
“If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.”
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