Infant formula recalled due to possible presence of cereulide

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is coordinating an Australia-wide recall of five batches of Nestlé’s ALFAMINO infant formula for babies with milk allergies due to the potential presence of the toxin cereulide.

The recall follows the detection of the cereulide in an ingredient supplied for a range of Nestlé’s products available overseas. While there have been no confirmed cases of illness caused by the products involved to date, the detection has led to an international recall that has included the five specific batches in Australia.  

According to a statement released by Nestlé, “Cereulide is produced by the microorganism Bacillus cereus in one of the ingredients supplied for the batches concerned. The presence of cereulide in oils is very uncommon, and Nestlé is working with the oil supplier, who is conducting a full root-cause analysis.”

According to FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert, “Cereulide can cause gastrointestinal illness but there have been no reports of associated illness in Australia or internationally.

“Imported products subject to the recall are not sold in supermarkets, but are available through hospitals, pharmacies and GPs, generally via prescription,” Cuthbert said.

The recall only relates to the five specific batches listed on the website, with no other ALFAMINO batches or products in Australia or New Zealand affected by this recall.

Nestlé said it is taking these precautionary recall measures “in full cooperation with the relevant authorities and in line with our strict product quality and safety protocols”.

For more information, visit the Nestlé advisory page or phone 1800 152 126.

Image: Supplied