Nestlé has issued a recall for certain batches of baby formula primarily in Europe due to potential contamination with a toxin that can lead to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. This recall does not impact any products in Canada. The company has taken this voluntary action as a precaution due to concerns about the presence of a toxin called cereulide in specific batches of its SMA, BEBA, and NAN infant formulas.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by a particular type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, resulting in severe symptoms such as vomiting and nausea lasting up to 24 hours. According to Ireland’s food inspection agency, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the toxin may already be present in food and is highly resistant to heat.
Nestlé emphasized its commitment to the safety of babies and stated that the recall was initiated in adherence to their stringent product quality and safety standards. The company conducted tests on their products following the identification of a quality issue in an ingredient supplied by a third party. Nestlé has completed testing and is now working with alternative suppliers to maintain formula supply.
Despite the recall affecting several countries, including Turkey, Argentina, the U.K., Ireland, and other European nations, Nestlé confirmed that Canadian products are not affected. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also stated that it has no information about the distribution of the affected formulas in Canada.
Nestlé has provided a list of affected batch numbers online, advising consumers to check the bottom of the formula tins or boxes for these codes. Consumers who have purchased the affected formulas are urged not to use them and to contact Nestlé for a refund.
Austria’s health ministry reported that the recall impacted over 800 products from more than 10 Nestlé factories, marking it as the largest recall in the company’s history. Meanwhile, Nestlé, a Swiss multinational corporation, holds a significant market share in the global infant nutrition market. The company’s shares have seen a decline, and the recall adds pressure on its new CEO, Philipp Navratil, who aims to drive growth through a strategic portfolio review following recent management changes.