Nestlé has initiated a recall of certain batches of baby formula, primarily in Europe, due to potential contamination with a toxin that may lead to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. However, the recall does not impact any products in Canada, as stated by the company.
The company has taken the voluntary decision to recall specific products, including batches of its SMA, BEBA, and NAN infant formulas, as a precautionary measure due to concerns regarding the possible presence of a chemical known as cereulide in those batches.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by a specific strain of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, resulting in severe vomiting and nausea lasting up to 24 hours, according to Ireland’s food inspection agency, which is among the countries affected by the recall. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has also warned that the toxin may already be present in a food product and is highly resistant to heat.
Nestlé emphasized its commitment to the safety and well-being of infants, stating in a recall notice on its website that the voluntary recall aligns with the company’s stringent product quality and safety standards.
After detecting a quality issue in an ingredient from a supplier, Nestlé conducted tests on their products. Following the completion of testing, Nestlé has switched to alternative suppliers to increase production capacity and ensure the availability of formula.
Nestlé clarified that as of late Monday, no illnesses linked to the recalled products had been confirmed. The recall affects several countries, including Turkey, Argentina, the U.K., Ireland, and various European nations. However, the company confirmed to CBC via email that the recall does not impact any products distributed in Canada.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also affirmed that there is no information about the affected formulas being distributed in Canada. The CFIA spokesperson stated that if there are any updates or if Canadian products are found to be affected, the agency will notify the public through the Recalls and Safety Alerts website and issue food recall warnings as necessary.
Nestlé has provided a list of the affected batch numbers online, with the batch codes located on the bottom of the formula tins or boxes. The company advises consumers who have purchased the affected formulas not to use them and to contact Nestlé for a refund.
According to Austria’s health ministry, the recall impacts over 800 products from more than 10 Nestlé factories and marks the company’s largest recall. These figures have yet to be confirmed by Nestlé.
Nestlé, a Swiss multinational corporation, holds nearly a quarter of the global infant nutrition market valued at $92.2 billion, as reported by SkyQuest Technology Group. While Nestlé does not disclose sales data, its Nutrition and Health Science division, which includes infant formula, contributed to 16.6% of the company’s total sales of 91.4 billion Swiss francs ($158.4 billion Cdn) in 2024.
The recall, which initially began on a smaller scale in December, intensifies pressure on Philipp Navratil, the company’s new chief executive, who aims to stimulate growth through a comprehensive portfolio assessment following a period of management changes.
