Nestléhas issued a global recall in nearly 50 countries after SMA, BEBA, and NANinfant formulaswere possibly contaminated with a toxin that can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
The recall began in December, according to Reuters. The baby formula, which was sold across Europe, Turkey, and Argentina, may have been contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by the bacteriumBacillus cereus.
"Food safety and the well-being of all infants remain our top priority," Nestlé said in a statement. "We understand that this news may cause concern, and we are committed to providing clear, transparent information and support for parents and caregivers throughout this process. "
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Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with harmful bacteria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See the 'risky foods' linked to US recalls and illness outbreaks
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, releasedits annual risky food reportin April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAYbroke it down furtheron a what-you-need-to-know basis.
Nestlé said no illnesses have been linked to the recall.
A total of 49 countries are affected, but no Nestlé infant formula has beenrecalled in the U.S.related to this toxin.
What was recalled?
SMA, BEBA and NAN formulas mostly sold in European countries are being recalled due to possible contamination, according to Reuters.
Different products were recalled in each affected country.
Since the recall was announced, Nestlé said it has inspected arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and related oil blends used in infant formula and has activated alternative suppliers of the oil.
How to tell if your baby has ingested a product contaminated by the bacteria
Symptoms of ingesting Cereulide include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
Abdominal pain
Stomach cramps
Watery diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Which countries are included in the recall?
The following countries and regions have had baby formula recalled, according to Nestle:
Europe region
Americas region
Asia, Oceania region
Middle East & North Africa
Contributing: Reuters
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies, natural disasters and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Where was Nestlé infant formula recalled? See list of countries
