Swiss food giant Nestlé announced Wednesday night a recall of specific batches of infant and follow-on formula in the UK.
The move comes amid concerns over the potential presence of a toxin that could cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps in infants.
According to a joint statement reported by French news outlet Zone Bourse from Nestlé and the Food Standards Agency (FSA)—the independent government body responsible for food safety and hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—a list of batch numbers has been released with instructions that they should not be consumed.
Both organizations warned of the possible presence of the toxin cereulide.
The FSA noted in its statement that cereulide is characterized by high stability, even when exposed to high temperatures. This means the toxin is unlikely to be neutralized by cooking, boiling water, or standard formula preparation methods.
If ingested, symptoms may manifest rapidly.
In a notice directed to consumers, Nestlé stated that no illnesses have been reported to date. The company has provided dedicated helpline numbers in the UK and Ireland for customers to arrange full refunds.
“As a matter of extreme caution, the group has decided to voluntarily recall this product in accordance with our rigorous quality and safety protocols,” Nestlé added.
