What parents need to know about the Nestlé baby formula recall and cereulide

Nestlé has issued a voluntary recall of selected batches of its SMA Infant Formula and SMA Follow-On Formula in the UK and Ireland after identifying a potential risk of contamination with cereulide, a foodborne toxin.

The company said there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the affected products, but the recall was initiated “out of an abundance of caution” and in line with its safety and quality protocols.

“The safety and well-being of babies is our absolute priority,” Nestlé said in a statement, adding that the recall is a precautionary measure. Consumers who have purchased the affected batches are being advised not to feed the formula to infants and to return the products for a full refund.

Nestlé acknowledged the concern the recall may cause parents and caregivers, apologising for the inconvenience and reiterating its commitment to infant nutrition safety.

Affected SMA products are widely sold through supermarkets, pharmacies and healthcare providers across the UK and Ireland. The company has issued a consumer recall notice listing specific batch numbers and expiry dates.

What is cereulide? 

Cereulide is a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Unlike many bacteria, cereulide is not destroyed by cooking or reheating.

Exposure to cereulide is associated with rapid-onset food poisoning, typically causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps within hours of ingestion. In rare cases, severe illness can occur, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants.

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