The food safety regulator has confirmed the existence of a food poisoning toxin within certain limits of Nestlé baby formula. The multinational food corporation recalled several batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula products earlier this month over concerns they contained the ceruleid toxin, which can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach pain if consumed.
The Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) subsequently identified the compromised ingredient in SMA products as arachidonic acid (ARA) oil. This substance plays an important role in baby’s development and is included in formula to ensure that bottle-fed babies are healthy.
Jody Wild, head of the incidents unit at the FSA, said: “The ongoing investigation has revealed that the contamination originated from a shared, third party, ingredient supplier. The affected ingredient is an oil called arachidonic acid (ARA).
“We are immediately tracing all products that used ingredients from this supplier to ensure that any affected products are removed from sale.”
Nestle products affected by recall
Affected categories include SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow-On Milk, SMA Anti Reflux, SMA Alphamino, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Small Steps First Baby Milk, SMA Relax, and SMA Lactose Free. The exact batch codes and best-before dates that are affected are on the FSA website.
On January 23, Danone also recalled a batch of its Aptamil baby formula product due to concerns that it may contain cerulide.
At the time, the FSA said only one batch sold in the UK was affected, but additional batches in other countries were also affected. Earlier this week it emerged that the contamination that caused both recalls originated from a shared, third-party, component supplier.
The batch recalled was Aptamil First Infant Formula, 800 g with batch code 31-10-2026. Its earliest date was October 31, 2026.
Ms Wild said: “Both recalls are due to the presence of ceruleide, a toxin that can cause vomiting and nausea. If further recalls are required, we will announce them immediately.”
The FSA urged people with any affected products to stop using them and switch to an alternative, and to contact their GP or NHS 111 if their baby has already consumed formula.
If formula is prescribed, parents should talk to pharmacists or doctors before switching, the FSA said. Further details about which batches have been recalled can be found on food.gov.uk or the Nestlé website.
A Nestlé spokesperson said, “There is no change in the status of this recall. Nestlé acted quickly and decisively to issue a voluntary recall notice on January 5, 2026. This was due to the possible presence of cerulide in some products due to an ingredient used in specific batches.
“We want to reassure everyone that there has been no change in the scope or nature of this recall and we thank everyone who contacted us for their patience and apologize again that we had to take this action.”
