Switzerland The famous food company Nestle has decided to recall some batches of its infant formula (baby milk powder) being sold in many countries of Europe. These countries are Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, France, Britain, Ireland and some others. The company has taken this step very carefully, so that the safety of children can be completely ensured. Nestle said that this problem was caused by a quality problem in a particular ingredient from one of their big suppliers. The name of this product is Arachidonic Acid Oil (ARA Oil).
The company has thoroughly investigated this oil and the mixtures made from it. Investigation found that some batches may contain a poisonous substance (toxin) called cereulide. This toxin is produced by the bacteria Bacillus cereus. This ceruleid is very dangerous because it is heat tolerant. Meaning, it is not destroyed even by the normal process of boiling milk, heating it or preparing formula. If a child drinks it, he may soon suffer from vomiting, nausea, stomach ache or other stomach problems.
Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also warned that this toxin can cause symptoms rapidly. The good thing is that till now there has been no confirmation of any child getting sick from these products. Nestle has repeatedly said that this recall is completely voluntary and has been done in accordance with their strict safety rules. The company stressed that they keep consumer safety top of mind.
The affected products are sold under different brand names in different countries. For example: BEBA and Alfamino in Germany, SMA in the UK and Ireland, NAN or other Nestlé brands in some countries. The company has posted the list of affected batches, their photographs and batch numbers on its website. Parents can easily check whether their products are affected or not. If your product is in this list, do not give it to the child at all. The company has given clear instructions on how to return the product and get a full refund. Helpline numbers have also been made available in many countries, where you can get help by calling.
Nestle is working closely with the government agencies of those countries so that all necessary steps are taken quickly. The company is also continuing additional testing and has started sourcing materials from alternative suppliers to avoid any further issues. Nestlé has appealed to all parents and caregivers to exercise caution and be confident in the company’s commitment to food safety. If you have any Nestle infant formula, first check its batch number. Safety First! This recall shows how responsibly the company acts, even though no illnesses have been reported yet.
