Global food major Nestlé has initiated a voluntary recall of select batches of its infant and follow-on formula products across several European markets after identifying a potential food safety risk linked to bacterial contamination.
The recall covers specific batches of SMA, BEBA and NAN infant formula products sold in countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Finland. According to Nestlé and Britain’s Food Standards Agency, the affected products may contain cereulide, a toxin associated with certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
Cereulide is known to cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, often with rapid onset. Food safety authorities cautioned that the toxin is resistant to heat and cannot be neutralised through boiling water or cooking, making standard preparation methods ineffective in reducing the risk.
Nestlé stated that no confirmed cases of illness have been reported in connection with the recalled batches so far. The company said the decision to recall the products was taken as a precautionary measure, in line with its internal quality and safety standards.
Health authorities in Austria said the recall could affect more than 800 products originating from over 10 Nestlé manufacturing facilities, potentially making it one of the company’s largest recalls to date. Nestlé said it could not independently verify those figures but confirmed that the issue was traced back to a potential risk identified at one of its factories in the Netherlands.
Nestlé has published detailed batch numbers for the affected products and advised consumers not to use the listed items. Customers have been asked to contact Nestlé’s consumer carelines for guidance, refunds or replacements.
The company said it is working closely with regulators to manage the recall and minimise supply disruptions, while reinforcing monitoring and quality control processes across its manufacturing network.
The incident comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny around infant nutrition products, where safety standards are among the most stringent in the food industry.
