Nestlé has issued a recall of infant formula in several European countries due to potential contamination with Bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The recall affects various brands and countries, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. In Finland and Denmark, one batch of NAN Sensilac 1 800-gram infant formula powder with a best before date of October 2027 and batch number 53030346AB has been recalled.
The recall was prompted by the detection of Bacillus cereus in an area of the production line at Nestlé’s Nunspeet plant in the Netherlands during a self-monitoring test. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall, but Nestlé has advised consumers to contact their healthcare provider if their child experiences symptoms after consuming the affected product.
The affected products and batch numbers vary by country. In Sweden, NAN Sensitive 1 and NAN Pro 1 have been recalled, while in France, Guigoz Optipro Relais has been pulled from the market. In Hungary, BEBA Optipro 1 and Lactogen Harmony 1 have been recalled, and in the Czech Republic, BEBA Comfort 1 has been affected. In Poland, NAN Optipro Plus 1 has been recalled.
Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming organism that can survive in harsh conditions, including high temperatures. The incubation period for Bacillus cereus infection is usually between 1 to 16 hours, and illness can last between 12 to 24 hours. If symptoms occur between 1 to 5 hours, it is likely the vomiting type, while the diarrhea type occurs after 8 to 16 hours.
This is not the first recall issued by Nestlé in recent months. In November, the company recalled Nan Expert Pro infant formula in Belgium and Luxembourg due to potential Cronobacter contamination. The recall was issued after a positive result was obtained by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain in Belgium. However, accredited laboratories tested 1,830 samples and found no positives, and no cases of illness were reported among consumers. Nestlé has taken prompt action to address the potential contamination and protect consumer safety.