Nestlé has issued a global product advisory after identifying a quality problem linked to a supplier-made ingredient used in some infant nutrition products, triggering recalls in several markets, including South Africa.
The advisory relates to arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, a nutritional ingredient added to certain infant formulas. Nestlé says testing detected a quality issue involving oil supplied by a third-party manufacturer, raising concerns about the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
Nestlé Zimbabwe, which operates under Nestlé ESAR, manufactures and distributes products such as Cerevita, Cremora, Cerelac, Maggi and Nestlé Everyday.
Zimbabwe sources a significant portion of its infant formula and baby nutrition products from neighbouring South Africa where the National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula (0–12 months), 800g, batch number 51660742F3, manufactured in June 2025 and with a best-before date of 15 December 2026.
The commission said the product was distributed through major retailers and exported to Namibia and Eswatini, underlining how widely a single batch can travel within the region.
It is unclear whether Zimbabwean regulators and retailers are working on establishing whether any recalled batches entered the local market.
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Cereulide is associated with foodborne illness and, if present, can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and unusual lethargy, typically appearing within 30 minutes to six hours after consumption. Nestlé says no illnesses linked to the affected products have been reported to date, but recalls are being implemented in markets where required as a precaution.
The company says the recalled volumes represent less than 0.5 percent of its annual global sales and that the financial impact is not expected to be material.It says it is working with the supplier on a full root-cause analysis and is cooperating with food safety authorities in all affected countries.
What parents and caregivers should do
Parents and caregivers are advised to check the batch number printed on the tin, usually on the base or back panel. If the product is NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula (0–12 months), 800g, batch 51660742F3, with a best-before date of 15 December 2026, they should stop using it immediately and return it to the retailer for guidance on refunds or replacement.
For products bought in South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini or through cross-border channels, consumers should match their batch numbers against official recall notices in the country of purchase. If a child shows any unusual symptoms after consuming formula, parents should consult a healthcare professional.
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