Summary of the recalls
Nestlé is recalling specific batches of various SMA infant formula, follow-on formula products and foods for special medical purposes. This is due to the possible presence of cereulide in the batches concerned.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning. The toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant.
Parents, guardians and caregivers who have these affected batches should not feed this product to infants and young children.
The FSAI and the National Environmental Health Service is verifying these recalls through inspections.
What products are affected?
See the products affected in the food alert, update 1 food alert, update 2 food alert, update 3 food alert . update 4 food alert and update 5 food alert. To see if a specific product is included, check the product name, batch number, expiry date and any other details listed against the affected product.
Batch codes can be found on the base of the tin or box for powdered formulas or the base of the outer box and on the side / top of the container for ready-to-feed formulas.
Why has the FSAI issued updates to this alert?
The FSAI issues updates whenever new information becomes available. This is to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date details to protect your health and your family’s health.
Updates may occur for several reasons, such as additional products being affected, new batch codes or best-before dates identified, or further product lines being implicated.
The update on 3 February is following the European Food Safety Authority’s recommendations on analytical testing, which resulted in Nestlé determining that another batch is non-compliant and needs to be recalled. See update 5 food alert.
Are other SMA infant formula and follow-on formula products affected?
The food alerts include all the affected products notified to the FSAI by Nestlé at this time.
What if an infant or young child has consumed the product?
Do not feed any more of the implicated product to the infant or young child. Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually 6 to 24 hours.
If no symptoms are displayed, there’s nothing further you need to do.
If you are concerned about the health of an infant or young child, contact a healthcare professional.
Have there been any reports of illness associated with the consumption of the products concerned?
No cases of human illness linked to the affected products have been confirmed to date in Ireland.
Can I return the product or get a refund?
Nestlé is advising its customers that have purchased any of these batches to contact them:
- Via its online form, sharing a photo of the product and the batch code: https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/getintouch
- By calling its careline on 1800 931 832 (Ireland), 0800 0 81 81 80 (UK)
Where can I find food alert and food allergen alerts?
Visit the alerts section on our website. Subscribe for food and/or food allergen alerts.
How do I subscribe for food alerts and food allergen alerts?
You can get food alerts and food allergen alerts by text or email via our Subscription service.
More information
Background on the ongoing recalls: Precautionary global recall of infant nutrition products following detection of Bacillus cereus toxin
EFSA’s rapid risk assessment (scientific advice): Rapid risk assessment on acute reference dose (ARfD) of cereulide in infants and information on acute consumption of infant formulae