Summary — what does Nestlé infant formula recall mean?
- Nestlé recalls SMA infant and follow-on formulas globally over cereulide
- Toxin linked to nausea and vomiting; no confirmed illnesses reported
- Company says recall precautionary; other batches and products remain safe
- Refunds offered; issue traced to supplier ingredient; check package codes
- Some countries pull all Nestlé formula; Vietnam halts Beba and Alfamino
Nestlé is facing a global health scandal, following the recall of a number of its infant formula products.
The food and beverage giant issued the demand over concerns they contain a toxin which can cause food poisoning.
In a statement it said that specific batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were not safe to be fed to babies, “due to the potential presence of cereulide”.
What is cereulide
Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium and related species. It is a potent cytotoxin that destroys mitochondria. It causes nausea and vomiting.
The Swiss CPG confirmed the products were sold across the world, and could potentially contain cereulide, which can trigger nausea and vomiting when consumed.
It said the problem was caused by an ingredient provided by one of its suppliers.
The company said there had been no confirmed reports of illness associated with the products, but was recalling them “out of an abundance of caution”.
And continued, saying the safety and wellbeing of babies is, “our absolute priority”.
However, food watchdog FoodWatch has criticised the multinational, saying “Nestlé and Dutch food authorities had been aware of contaminations of infant formula products since at least the beginning of December [2025]. Some batches were then recalled in a few countries. However, it was not until now, at the beginning of January, that the recall was publicly extended to around 60 countries worldwide.”
The company emphasised that all other Nestlé products and other batches of the same product, that are not in the scope of this voluntary recall, are safe to consume.
In response to the recall, some countries have taken the decision to pull all Nestlé infant formula from the shelves. This includes Vietnam, where health authorities have ordered a halt to the sale and online listing of Nestlé powdered milk sold under the Beba and Alfamino brands.
Nestlé has not yet responded to request for comment.
Developing situation
As investigations continue, regulators in multiple markets are assessing whether further action is needed, while consumer groups are calling for greater transparency around supplier oversight and ingredient testing. Retailers, meanwhile, are working to remove affected products and reassure parents seeking safe alternatives.
For now, the scale of the disruption - and the speed with which governments have responded – underscores how sensitive the infant formula category remains in the wake of past global safety scares.
With Nestlé yet to provide further clarification, questions persist over how a contaminant of this nature entered the supply chain and what safeguards will be put in place to prevent future incidents.
This is a developing story.
