Nestlé Recalls Some Baby Formula Products in Europe Over Toxin Concern

Product recalls for brands SMA, BEBA, Alfamino, and Nan have gone out across Europe, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland.

A logo of food giant Nestle in a building in Orbe, Switzerland, on Feb. 9, 2024. Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Nestlé on Jan. 5 recalled dozens of batches of its baby and follow-on formula brands across Europe over food safety concerns, warning the products could contain a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

In a statement published on Nestlé’s website, the company told customers in the UK and Ireland that the recall was due to the potential presence of the toxin cereulide in certain batches.

The company, which makes a range of products including Kit Kat and Nescafé instant coffee, said that while there have been no confirmed cases of illnesses associated with the consumption of its baby formula, SMA, it is performing a voluntary recall in line with its safety protocols and “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The safety and wellbeing of babies is our absolute priority,” the company said in the recall notice. “As a precautionary measure, Nestlé is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula.”

Customers were advised to check the batch number on packaging against the list of recalled products on Nestlé’s website.

Nestlé said that recalled products in the UK include SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk, SMA Comfort, SMA Lactose Free, SMA Anti Reflux, and Alfamino.

Customers in Ireland were told to check the batch numbers of SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk, SMA Comfort, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Gold Prem, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk, and SMA Alfamino.

Parents were warned against feeding affected batches to their babies.

People who purchased any of the affected products are asked to share a photo of the product and the batch code via the company’s website or by calling a careline at 0800 0 81 81 80 (UK) or 1800 931 832 (Ireland) to obtain a refund.

“If you have been prescribed one of these batches listed please destroy the product and speak to your Healthcare Professional for advice on an alternative,” the company said.

Other products and batches that are not listed in the voluntary recall “are safe to consume.”

Cereulide

Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium found in food, vegetation, and soil. The UK’s Food Standards Agency describes Cereulide as being “highly heat stable,” meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed with hot water or through cooking, including through the making of milk for babies.

Symptoms associated with eating foods containing cereulide can appear within five hours of consumption, with the duration of the illness lasting six to 24 hours, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

The British and Irish food standards agencies advised parents that if they have any concerns over their babies’ health, they should contact a health care professional.

Product recall notices also went out for Nestlé baby and follow-on products in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the rest of Europe, the products go under various other brand names, including BEBA, Alfamino, and Nan.

Product batch numbers can be found on the individual customer recall notices for each country.