Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Bacillus,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on January 8, 2026
A recent Nestle formula recall has impacted the international community, putting babies across the world at risk. While this is not yet a problem in the United State, it could be.
The recall was initiated because an ingredient used in the product came to the factory contaminated. Which impacted downline products. An ingredient that could be used by American formula manufacturers.
What products are being recalled? Which ingredient is to blame? What should parents look out for?
Let’s explore!
The Nestle formula recall announced this week involves several of their infant nutrition products, mostly in European countries.
Product lines include:
The specific lots and products subject to recall have been announced in their respective agency jurisdictions.
According to a Nestle public statement, “We are in contact with authorities in the relevant countries to ensure the necessary steps are taken.”
While not an exhaustive list, the following countries are impacted by the Nestle formula recall:
This Nestle formula recall rolled out on a smaller scale as 2025 came to a close. Then, during the first week of January, when more information became available, the recall was widely expanded. However, Nestle claims that the recall applies to “a specific number of products” and involves a “non-compliant ingredient from a leading supplier.”
The recall was initiated because an ingredient, Arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, may contain cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus bacteria.
A quality issue prompted testing of this ingredient. An ingredient obtained from a “leading supplier.”
Once discovered, Nestle began “testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of its impacted nutrition products,” according to a Nestle spokesperson.
In the interim, Nestle has activated their alternative suppliers of the ARA oil and ramped up production at several factories to release unaffected products in order to maintain supply to the various supply chains.
Nestle explains that “the presence of cereulide in oils is very uncommon, and Nestle is working with the supplier, who is conducting a full root-cause analysis.”
ARA is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that is naturally present in a human mother’s milk.
When a human mother’s milk is not available or must be supplemented, infant formula is a great substitution. ARA, combined with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) make a nutrient combination used in these infant formulas for their importance to infant development.
The specific source and root cause of the contamination has not been made available to the public. However, cross-contamination, lapses in disinfection protocols, and raw ingredient contamination are common factors in many Bacillus cereus and cereulide toxin contamination events.
Cereulide toxins are extremely heat resistant. They are unlikely to be deactivated or degraded following heat treatment. Foods (including infant formula) containing cereulide should not be consumed.
If your child has consumed a product involved in the Nestle formula recall, you should monitor them for symptoms.
Common symptoms of cereulide toxin food poisoning include:
Symptom onset can occur within 30 minutes to six hours after exposure. Most people feel better within six to 24 hours, unless severe dehydration occurs.
If no symptoms are displayed, there should be no cause for concern. However, you should always reach out to you child’s healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Even if your child does not have symptoms after consuming recalled product, you should discontinue its use and reach out to the manufacture for the appropriate steps for the recall.
Reports indicate that no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with Nestle formula recall products to date. However, it can take weeks for a sick patient to seek medical care and testing to identify the infection. Longer still for the infection to be connected to an outbreak.
Only time will tell if there are truly no illnesses associated with this Nestle formula recall.
While this Nestle formula recall does not impact the United States, our country may not be in the clear.
The tainted ingredient is commonly used in most baby formula formulations. The unnamed supplier is a “leading supplier” in the industry. It is not a stretch to consider if the ingredient has made it into domestic factories.
The Make Food Safe Blog will be monitoring the situation and update as more information becomes available.
If your child or a family member has become sick from Nestle, or another brand of infant formula, and wish to file legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Food Poisoning Lawyer that can help!
The Lange Law Firm has represented families with situations just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability lawsuits. Let them help you get the justice you deserve.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or fill out the online submission form and someone will get back with you right away.
Many cases are time sensitive, so don’t wait. Call or email today!
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “International Nestle Formula Recall Due to Ingredient Issue. Could It Impact the U.S.?,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)