Nestlé recalled baby formula in 60+ countries — weeks after finding the toxin

In late November 2025, Nestlé detected cereulide — a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus that causes vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps — in infant formula made at a Netherlands facility. The contamination traced back to a single supplier of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an ingredient added to premium formulas to support infant brain development: Cabio Biotech, based in Wuhan, China.

Nestlé issued its first recall on December 11, 2025, covering France's Guigoz and Nidal brands. It did not expand the recall internationally until January 5, 2026, by which point it covered SMA, Beba, Guigoz and Alfamino across more than 60 countries — one of the largest recalls in the company's history. Nestlé's China arm separately listed 30 recalled batches across four brands: Lactogen, NAN Bochu, NAN Shuyi and Wyeth Nutrition Children's Growth Milk Powder.

Lactalis and Danone recalled formula of their own after Nestlé's disclosure — Lactalis pulled six lots of its Picot brand across 18 countries, and Danone blocked a Thailand batch before it reached shelves. Health authorities in seven European countries reported infants with gastrointestinal distress possibly linked to the affected products, and local prosecutors in three French towns opened separate inquiries into infant deaths; Bordeaux's prosecutor later found no link between one of those deaths and Nestlé's Guigoz powder.

Paris' public prosecutor opened criminal investigations into five infant-formula makers, including Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis, over the roughly five-week gap between detecting the toxin and issuing a global recall. Consumer group foodwatch Netherlands filed a separate legal complaint alleging failures in traceability and delayed public warning.