A food poisoning toxin has been confirmed in some Nestlé baby formula products by the food safety watchdog. Several batches of Nestlé’s SMA infant formula and follow-on formula were recalled by the company earlier this month amid concerns they cereulide. The toxin can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps if swallowed.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed the affected ingredient in SMA products is arachidonic acid (ARA) oil. This plays an important role in infant development and is added to formula to make sure babies who aren’t breastfed still receive it. Jodie Wild, Head of Incidents Unit at the FSA, said ongoing investigations identified that the contamination originated from a shared, third-party, ingredient supplier.
She added: “We are urgently tracing all products that may have used ingredients from this supplier to make sure any affected products are removed from sale.”
Nestlé products included in the recall are: SMA Advanced First Infant Milk; SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk; SMA Anti Reflux; SMA Alfamino; SMA First Infant Milk; SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk; SMA Comfort; and SMA Lactose Free.
Danone also recalled a batch of its Aptamil baby formula product on January 23 over concerns it could contain cereulide.
The FSA said at the time that only one batch sold in the UK was affected, but additional batches in other countries were too.
It emerged earlier this week that the contamination which led to both recalls originated from a shared, third-party, ingredient supplier.
Ms Wild said: “Both recalls are due to the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and nausea. If further recalls are needed, we will announce them immediately.”
The FSA urged people with any affected products to stop using them and switch to an alternative. It also recommended contacting a GP or NHS 111 if their baby has already consumed the formula.
If formula is prescribed, parents should speak to a pharmacist or doctors before switching, according to the FSA.
More details about which batches have been recalled can be found on food.gov.uk or on the Nestlé website.
A Nestlé spokesperson said there has been no change to the status of the recall.
They added: “Nestlé moved quickly and decisively to voluntarily issue a recall notice on January 5 2026. This was due to the possible presence of cereulide in certain products because of an ingredient used in specific batches.
“We want to reassure everyone that there has been no change to the scope or nature of this recall and we thank everyone who has got in touch with us for their patience and apologise again that we have had to take this action.”
