Food and beverage giant Nestle has issued an urgent recall for several batches of its SMA-branded infant formula products across the United Kingdom. The move comes after the discovery of a potential contamination with a food poisoning toxin, prompting immediate action from regulators and the company.
What Toxin Has Been Found and What Are The Risks?
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that the affected batches may contain cereulide toxin. This substance is produced by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, a common cause of foodborne illness. If consumed, cereulide can lead to rapid-onset symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Jane Rawling, Head of Incidents at the FSA, provided clear guidance for parents and caregivers. "FSA's advice is that parents, guardians and caregivers should not feed infants or young children with these products," she stated. She urged anyone who has used the product and has health concerns to contact their GP or call NHS 111 for professional medical advice.
Which SMA Products Are Affected By The Recall?
The recall, announced on 5th January 2026, encompasses a wide range of SMA products. Nestle has confirmed the following lines are involved:
- SMA Advanced First Infant Milk
- SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk
- SMA Anti Reflux
- SMA Alfamino
- SMA First Infant Milk
- SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk
- SMA Comfort
- SMA Lactose Free
Nestle has stated that the issue originated from an ingredient supplied by a leading third-party provider, specifically related to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil. The company has conducted testing on all related oil mixes as part of its investigation.
Company Response and Consumer Safety Advice
In an official statement, Nestle apologised to customers and emphasised that the recall is a precautionary measure. The company confirmed that, to date, there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the affected products.
"Nestle is in contact with UK authorities and as a precautionary measure, is voluntarily recalling specific batches," the statement read. The company assured the public it is taking all necessary steps to protect families and minimise supply disruption.
Consumers are advised to check the batch codes on their SMA formula products. Full details of the specific batches being recalled can be found on the official Food Standards Agency website (food.gov.uk) or on Nestle's own corporate site. Parents in possession of any listed batches should stop using them immediately and return the products to the point of purchase for a full refund.
