Nestlé has issued an urgent update to its voluntary recall of multiple baby formula products, as fears grow over the possible presence of a harmful toxin. The manufacturer has expanded its precautionary withdrawal of various SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula items, initially announced in January, due to concerns about cereulide contamination.
Safety Precaution Amid Toxin Worries
In a recent statement, Nestlé emphasised that the safety and wellbeing of infants remains its absolute priority. The recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure, with the company voluntarily withdrawing specific batches where cereulide might be present. According to reports, no verified illnesses linked to the consumption of these products have been confirmed to date.
Understanding Cereulide Risks
The Food Standards Agency has provided a detailed risk assessment, explaining that cereulide is a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. This substance is highly heat-stable, meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed through cooking, boiling water, or standard infant milk preparation methods. If consumed, it can lead to rapid onset of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
The FSA strongly advises parents to stop using any affected products immediately, even if no ill health has been observed in their baby. For infants prescribed these formulas by a healthcare professional, consultation with a pharmacist or medical expert is essential before switching to an alternative.
Corrected Alert and Northern Ireland Specifics
The agency has also issued a correction to a previous alert, clarifying that the product name should be SMA First Infant Milk. This item, with a pack size of 800g, batch code 53390346AB, and a best before date of December 2027, is exclusively sold in Northern Ireland.
Actions for Parents and Caregivers
Parents who have purchased any of the affected batches are urged not to feed them to their babies. To arrange a refund, they should submit a photograph of the product and batch code via Nestlé's official contact channels or call the careline. Additionally, Nestlé has introduced an online checker on its website to help determine if a batch is included in the recall.
For those with prescribed batches, the instruction is to destroy the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional on suitable alternatives. Any concerns about a baby's wellbeing should be discussed with a medical expert promptly.
Complete List of Recalled Products
The recall encompasses a wide range of SMA products, including:
- SMA Advanced First Infant Milk (800g) with batch codes 51450742F1, 52319722BA, 52819722AA, best before May 2027.
- SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk (800g) with batch codes 51240742F2 (best before May 2027) and 51890742F2, 52879722AA (best before July 2027).
- SMA Anti Reflux (800g) with batch codes 51570742F3, 52099722BB, 52739722BA (best before June 2027) and 52099722BA (best before April 2027).
- SMA ALFAMINO (400g) with multiple batch codes and best before dates ranging from April to November 2027.
- SMA First Infant Milk in various pack sizes (800g, 400g, 1.2kg, 200ml, 70ml) with specific batch codes and best before dates.
- SMA LITTLE STEPS First Infant Milk (800g) with batch codes 51220346AD (best before May 2027), 51540346AC (best before June 2027), and 52740346AD (best before October 2027).
- SMA Comfort (800g) with batch codes 52620742F3 (best before September 2027) and others best before May 2027.
- SMA Lactose Free (400g) with batch codes best before April to August 2027.
Nestlé has reassured consumers that all other Nestlé products and batches not included in this voluntary recall are safe for consumption. This proactive step underscores the company's commitment to infant health amidst ongoing safety evaluations.
