Nestlé, a leading food and beverage company, has issued a worldwide recall of several batches of its infant formula products, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN, due to potential contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting in babies. The recall affects at least 48 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. The company detected a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier, which led to the recall.
The recalled products contain arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which is used in a wide range of infant nutrition products sold globally. Nestlé has undertaken testing of all ARA oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of its potentially affected infant nutrition products. Although none of the recalled products have been linked to any confirmed cases of sickness or symptoms, the company is taking precautionary measures to ensure consumer safety.
The recall has been issued in several countries, including the UAE and Qatar, where authorities have warned people not to use certain batches of Nestlé baby formula. In India, Nestlé has clarified that none of the recalled products are sold in the country, as all baby formulas are made locally. The company has conducted thorough testing on its products in India and confirmed that they meet all regulatory requirements.
This recall is a fresh challenge for Nestlé’s new CEO, Philipp Navratil, who is seeking to revive the company’s growth. The incident comes after a report earlier in 2024 accused Nestlé of adding excessive amounts of sugar to its baby food products sold in low- and middle-income countries. The company has emphasized that the safety and well-being of its consumers is its top priority and that all its products are in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Nestlé’s teams are working with authorities in affected markets to determine the appropriate course of action to support parents and caregivers. The company has assured that it takes all consumer inquiries very seriously and is duly investigating them. The recall is a precautionary measure, and no cases of sickness have been reported in connection with the products involved to date.