Food giant Nestlé has announced a worldwide recall of select batches of infant formula after detecting possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause food poisoning. In a statement issued on January 6, the Switzerland-based company said certain batches of its Simulated Milk Adapted (SMA) infant formula and follow-on formula were deemed unsafe for babies.

The affected products have been sold across 31 countries, mainly in Europe—including the UK, France, and Germany—as well as parts of Latin America and Hong Kong. India is not currently on the recall list, but Nestlé has clarified that the list is not exhaustive and may be updated as investigations continue.

The recalled brands in affected markets include SMA, BEBA and NAN. In India, Nestlé is a major player in infant nutrition, selling products such as NAN PRO and Lactogen Pro for newborns and toddlers. While no domestic recall has been issued so far, the global alert has understandably raised concerns among Indian parents.

What caused the recall?

Nestlé said the issue originated from a quality problem in an ingredient supplied by a third-party vendor. The suspected contaminant is cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium commonly found in soil.

The company believes the contamination may be linked to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an ingredient added to infant formula to mimic essential fatty acids found in breast milk. ARA is important for brain development, immunity and bone health in infants. Nestlé said it is working closely with the supplier, which has launched a detailed root-cause analysis.

Why cereulide is dangerous for infants

Medical experts caution that cereulide is particularly risky for babies because it is heat-stable—meaning it cannot be destroyed by boiling or reheating formula.

Dr Rakesh Tiwari, senior consultant in paediatrics at Paras Health, Gurugram, explained that contaminated formula can cause sudden vomiting, poor feeding, lethargy and dehydration within hours. In rare cases, it may lead to low blood sugar, metabolic disturbances or liver damage, as infants’ organs are still developing.

Why Indian parents should stay alert

Even though India has not been included in the recall so far, experts advise parents to:

• Check batch numbers carefully when buying imported or online formula

• Follow strict hygiene and storage practices

• Prepare formula fresh and avoid prolonged storage after mixing

• Seek medical help immediately if infants show unusual symptoms after feeding

As investigations continue globally, parents and caregivers are advised to stay informed through official updates and consult paediatricians if they have concerns.