Nestlé has expanded its recall of infant formula products after food safety regulators confirmed the presence of cereulide, a rare but potentially dangerous heat-resistant toxin, in additional batches of baby milk. The move widens an ongoing safety alert that has already affected more than 60 batches of infant formula and has intensified scrutiny of ingredient supply chains used in products intended for babies.
Regulators said cereulide can cause acute gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting and abdominal cramps, and is not destroyed by standard heat treatment applied during food production. The warning applies to powdered and ready-to-feed formula sold under Nestlé’s SMA brand, with affected batches supplied to Ireland and potentially Northern Ireland. Nestlé has said the products were not distributed to mainland UK.
The contamination has been traced to a third-party ingredient supplier, according to regulators, with the same raw material used across multiple brands. One batch of Aptamil formula produced by Danone has also tested positive for the toxin, authorities confirmed. Reported by The WP Times editorial team, citing Reuters. Batch-specific and distribution details are based on reporting by Sky News.
What exactly has been recalled and where was it sold
The most recent recall concerns 800g packs of SMA First Infant Milk, with a best before date of December 2027 and batch code 53390346AB. Nestlé said the products were sold to customers in Ireland and may also have been available in Northern Ireland. In a statement provided to Sky News, Nestlé stressed that the affected batch “has not been distributed to mainland UK”, but advised parents to check packaging carefully, particularly if products were purchased online or brought across borders.
The newly identified batch adds to a list of more than 60 SMA formula batches recalled earlier this year, making it one of the most extensive infant formula recalls in Europe in recent years.
Why is cereulide considered dangerous for babies
Cereulide is a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. Unlike many foodborne toxins, it is highly heat-stable, meaning it can survive boiling, pasteurisation and other standard manufacturing processes. Food safety authorities warn that ingestion can trigger symptoms such as:
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- gastrointestinal distress
In infants, these symptoms can escalate quickly due to a higher risk of dehydration and the limited ability of babies to communicate discomfort. Health officials therefore urge parents to seek medical advice promptly if they have concerns after feeding.
What have regulators confirmed
The Food Standards Agency confirmed that laboratory analysis detected cereulide in recalled batches of SMA infant formula. The agency also confirmed that one batch of Aptamil formula, produced by Danone, tested positive for the same toxin.
According to the regulator, the contamination did not originate in the final manufacturing stage but was traced to a raw ingredient supplied by a third-party supplier, which was used across multiple brands. These findings were confirmed to Reuters, which reported that the contamination stemmed from a shared ingredient rather than a failure in Nestlé’s production facilities.
How did Nestlé explain the additional recall
Responding to questions from Sky News, a Nestlé spokesperson said the newly recalled batch had been identified after reassessment using updated testing methods. The spokesperson said the recall was carried out “to be consistent with other batches recalled previously” and reiterated that the issue was linked to “the possible presence of cereulide because of a contaminated ingredient.” Nestlé added that all relevant batches have now been assessed against the updated methodology and said it does not expect further recalls.
What should parents and caregivers do now
Food safety authorities and healthcare services advise the following steps:
- Check product details carefully
Look for SMA First Infant Milk, 800g packs, batch code 53390346AB, best before December 2027. - Stop using affected products immediately
Parents should switch to an alternative formula. - Seek medical advice if necessary
If the formula was prescribed, consult a pharmacist or doctor before changing.
If a baby has already consumed the product and symptoms appear, contact a GP or NHS 111. - Follow official updates
Further guidance is being published by regulators and reported by major UK and European news outlets.
WWhy this recall matters beyond a single product
The recall has exposed broader structural vulnerabilities within the infant nutrition sector, notably the industry’s reliance on shared third-party ingredient suppliers and the inherent limits of heat-based food safety controls when dealing with heat-resistant toxins.
It has also underscored the importance of rapid, cross-border coordination in product recalls, particularly where supply chains and distribution networks span multiple jurisdictions.
For regulators, the incident is likely to trigger renewed scrutiny of ingredient traceability, supplier oversight and post-market testing standards for infant formula, with potential implications for regulatory frameworks across the UK and the European Union.
Timeline of key events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | More than 60 SMA formula batches recalled |
| Late January 2026 | Regulators confirm cereulide detected in recalled products |
| Early February 2026 | Additional SMA batch identified in Ireland |
| 4 February 2026 | Nestlé confirms no further recalls expected |
While Nestlé and regulators say the immediate risk to consumers is contained, investigations into supplier controls and testing protocols remain ongoing. Consumer groups have called for clearer labelling, faster public alerts and tighter safeguards for products intended for infants.
For now, authorities are urging vigilance rather than panic, stressing the importance of checking product details and following official guidance.
Why is the global SMA recall forcing Nestlé to pull baby formula from UK shelves
