The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed the presence of a toxin in some Nestlé SMA baby formula products, urging parents to check their supplies. Nestlé recalled several batches earlier this month due to concerns they contained cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.
The FSA identified the contaminated ingredient as arachidonic acid oil, which is added to formula to support infant development. The oil came from a supplier used by both Nestlé and Danone, leading Danone to also recall a batch of its Aptamil baby formula over the same issue.
Affected Nestlé products include 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, and SMA Lactose Free. The FSA is urgently tracing all products using ingredients from the supplier to ensure they are removed from sale.
Jodie Wild, head of the FSA's incidents unit, said: “Both recalls are due to the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and nausea. If further recalls are needed, we will announce them immediately.” Parents who have bought the recalled formula should stop using it and switch to an alternative, contacting their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has consumed it.
Batch numbers for affected products are available on the Nestlé website and at food.gov.uk. Nestlé stated it acted quickly to issue a voluntary recall on 5 January, apologising for the inconvenience. Danone said it withdrew a limited number of batches from targeted markets and urged parents to contact its careline with concerns.
