SWITZERLAND – Nestlé has initiated a global recall of selected batches of infant formula following the detection of a quality issue in a key ingredient supplied by a third party.
The recall, first announced on January 5, 2026, now spans at least 37 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, including several markets in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.
The products under recall may contain cereulide, a rare bacterial toxin that can cause foodborne illness. Nestlé has stated that the issue was identified through its internal quality monitoring systems after a problem was traced to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil used in some formulations.
What triggered the recall
According to Nestlé, routine quality checks detected an abnormality in ARA oil supplied by a global ingredient manufacturer. ARA is a fatty acid added to infant formula to support early development.
While the presence of cereulide in edible oils is uncommon, laboratory testing confirmed that some batches of the ingredient contained the toxin.
Following this finding, Nestlé tested all ARA oil and corresponding oil blends used in its infant nutrition products. The company then notified national regulators and industry associations and began recalling all potentially affected products as a precautionary measure.
Nestlé has discontinued sourcing from the implicated supplier and introduced systematic testing of ARA oil from alternative suppliers. The company has also confirmed that production has resumed at most of its infant formula factories, with expanded testing during and after manufacturing.
What Is cereulide
Cereulide is a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. It is heat-stable, meaning that boiling water or sterilization does not destroy it. When ingested, it can cause acute gastrointestinal illness.
The primary symptom associated with cereulide exposure is severe vomiting, typically occurring between 30 minutes and six hours after consumption. Secondary symptoms may include diarrhea and unusual lethargy.
Nestlé has stated that if no symptoms are present, there is no indication of health impact. Parents and caregivers are advised to consult a healthcare provider if they have concerns.
There is currently no universally accepted safe level of cereulide in infant formula. Nestlé applies a “no detectable level” standard, aligned with guidance from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In laboratory terms, this threshold is defined as less than 0.2 micrograms per kilogram.
Scope of the recall in COMESA
The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission confirmed that Nestlé voluntarily issued the global recall after identifying the potential presence of cereulide in specific SMA infant and follow-on formula batches.
Steven Kamukama, Director of Consumer Welfare and Advocacy at the Commission, said the affected products include a wide range of the SMA portfolio, such as SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Comfort, SMA Lactose Free, SMA Anti Reflux, SMA Little Steps, SMA Gold Prem 2, and Alfamino formulas.
These products are sold in multiple pack sizes, including 70 ml, 200 ml, 400 g, 800 g, and 1.2 kg. Each affected product has specific batch numbers, which vary by market.
Preliminary checks by COMESA found that some recalled batches were being sold through online marketplaces accessible in the region, including Jumia.co.ke in Kenya and ubuy.mw in Malawi.
The Commission warned that the products may have entered COMESA member states and urged consumers to follow the recall instructions issued by Nestlé.
How consumers can identify affected products
Nestlé has advised parents and caregivers to check the batch code on the base of the tin or box for powdered formula, or on the base of the outer carton and the side or top of the container for ready-to-feed products.
Consumers should then compare the code with the recall lists published on their local Nestlé or product brand websites.
Those who find a match are instructed to stop using the product immediately and follow the return process for a full refund. In the East and Southern Africa region, Nestlé has provided regional carelines, email contacts, and an online submission portal to facilitate returns.
Global reach of the recall
Beyond Africa, health authorities in Europe, Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico, and several other countries have issued alerts related to the recalled infant formula. National agencies have confirmed that the affected batches were manufactured in different locations, including Switzerland and the Netherlands, and exported to multiple markets.
Brazil’s Ministry of Health described the recall as a preventive action after the toxin was detected in products originating from Europe.
In South Africa, the National Consumer Commission said that some recalled NAN infant formula had been produced in June 2025 and distributed locally, as well as to Namibia and Eswatini.
The recall follows a series of high-profile infant formula safety incidents globally. In 2022, Abbott Laboratories recalled Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas in the United States due to Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.
More recently, in November 2025, ByHeart infant formula was recalled in the US following an outbreak of infant botulism, the first such link recorded in that country.
Ongoing investigations and market impact
Nestlé has acknowledged that investigations are ongoing in several countries, including France, where two infant deaths are under review. French authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence linking those cases to Nestlé’s products.
The company has said that the recalled batches account for less than 0.5% of its annual group sales and that the financial impact is not expected to be material. Nestlé shares fell about 5.7% in the week following the announcement, according to market data cited by international media.
Nestlé’s Chief Executive, Philipp Navratil, said the company detected a quality concern at a factory in the Netherlands in December 2025 and began precautionary recalls across European markets before expanding the action worldwide.
He confirmed that all recalls have now been announced and that the company continues to cooperate with regulators.