Nestle has expanded its recall of baby formula after a fresh batch of SMA Advanced First Infant Milk was found to contain a toxin that can cause food poisoning. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed on Friday that the affected ingredient is arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which is added to formula for infant development.
The latest recall involves 800g packs with best before December 2027 and batch code 53390346AB, distributed only in Northern Ireland. Nestle said it is acting “out of an abundance of caution” as there have been no confirmed reports of illness.
The recall follows a wider withdrawal in January of several SMA infant and follow-on formula batches over the cereulide toxin, which can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Other affected products include SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk, SMA Anti Reflux, SMA Alfamino, and SMA Comfort.
Danone also recalled a batch of its Aptamil baby formula on 23 January over similar concerns. The contamination in both cases originated from a shared third-party ingredient supplier.
The FSA has urged parents to stop using affected products, switch to an alternative, and contact a GP or NHS 111 if their baby has consumed the formula. For prescribed formula, parents should consult a pharmacist or doctor before switching.
On Monday, the European Food Safety Authority recommended a significant reduction in the acceptable threshold for the toxin in infant formula, proposing a new limit of 0.014 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. This is expected to trigger further product withdrawals globally.
