Nestlé Expands Infant Formula Recall Across 25 Countries

Nestlé has expanded a recall of specific batches of its infant and follow-on formulas SMA, BEBA and NAN across 23 European countries, as well as Turkey and Argentina, due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. According to the UK Food Standards Agency, the cereulide toxin is very heat-stable, meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, boiling water or preparing infant formula. If consumed, it can cause a rapid onset of symptoms, the agency warned.

Austria’s Ministry of Health said the recall affected more than 800 products from more than 10 Nestlé factories, calling it the largest product recall in the company’s history. A Nestlé spokesperson said the company could not verify those figures.

Nestlé has published batch numbers of products that should not be consumed in several markets and said it is working to minimize potential supply disruptions. The company added that it identified the potential risk at one of its factories in the Netherlands and is increasing production at several facilities.

In Argentina, the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) said Nestle Argentina S.A. initiated a voluntary and preventive recall of several batches of powdered infant formulas. The measure affects domestically produced products and one imported batch distributed in Santa Fe province, with expiration dates between December 2026 and June 2027.

Affected products include Nestlé NAN Optipro 1 c/HMO in 400gr and 800gr formats, and Nestlé Alfamino imported from Switzerland. According to ANMAT, the recall followed the detection of Bacillus cereus, which can produce toxins such as cereulide and cause food poisoning, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever in infants within hours of consuming contaminated products.

ANMAT noted that the bacteria can be found in soil and water and is known for its ability to form spores resistant to adverse conditions. The agency urged consumers not to use the affected products and instructed retailers, both physical and online, to remove them from sale and contact suppliers.

Nestlé reiterated that, despite the scale of the recall, no confirmed illnesses have been linked to the affected infant nutrition products so far. “Following the detection of a quality issue with an ingredient supplied by a leading supplier, Nestlé has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid oil and the corresponding oil blends used in the production of potentially affected infant nutrition products,” a Nestlé spokesperson said Tuesday.