Nestle’s recall of some infant formulas does not apply to Canadian products, company says
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Nestlé is recalling some batches of infant formula, mostly in Europe, over concerns of contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. However, according to the company, the recall does not apply to any products in Canada.
The company said it was voluntarily recalling the products, including batches of its SMA, BEBA and NAN infant formulas, as a “precautionary measure” due to the possible presence of a chemical called ceruleide in those batches.
Ceruleid is a toxin caused by a certain strain of bacteria that can cause food poisoning and result in severe vomiting and nausea for up to 24 hours. Food Inspection Agency of IrelandOne of the countries affected by the recall. Ireland’s Food Safety Authority also warned that the poison may already be in the food and it is extremely heat resistant.
“The safety and well-being of babies is our absolute priority,” Nestlé said in a statement. recall notice On its website. “Out of an abundance of caution, Nestlé has decided to issue this voluntary product recall in line with our strict product quality and safety protocols.”
Nestle told Reuters it tested its products after discovering a quality problem with an ingredient from a supplier. With testing completed, Nestlé says they are using alternative suppliers to increase production in an effort to maintain supplies of the formula.
Nestle, which makes products ranging from KitKat chocolate bars to Nescafe instant coffee, said late Monday that no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the recalled products.
This recall applies to several countries, Türkiye, Argentina, UK, Ireland and other European countries. However, the company confirmed in an email to CBC that the recall has no impact on any products within Canada.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also confirmed to CBC that it is not aware of any Canadian distribution of the affected formula.
“If additional information becomes available or products are found to be affected in the Canadian market and a recall is requested, CFIA will notify the public by posting the recall information. Recall and Safety Alert Website and issuing food recall warnings if necessary,” a spokesperson for the inspection agency said in a statement.
Nestle has published List of affected batch numbers Online; Batch codes can be found on the bottom of tins or boxes of formula. The company is advising consumers who purchased the affected formula not to feed it to their babies and to contact the company for a refund.
The affordability of infant formula was addressed for the first time in the 2025 Nutritious Food Basket developed by Ottawa Public Health.
Austria’s health ministry said the recall affected more than 800 products from more than 10 Nestlé factories and was the largest in the company’s history. Those figures have not been verified by Nestlé.
The Swiss multinational, whose shares have seen their shares fall more than three per cent in the last two sessions, controls about a quarter of the $92.2 billion global infant nutrition market, according to SkyQuest Technology Group.
Nestle does not publish sales data, but infant formula is part of its nutrition and health sciences division, which accounted for 16.6 percent of the company’s total 2024 sales of 91.4 billion Swiss francs ($158.4 billion CDN).
The pullback, which began on a small scale in December, also increases pressure on the company’s new Chief Executive Philippe Navratil, who is looking to revive growth through a portfolio review after a period of management turmoil.
