Nutricia Southern Africa recalls baby formula products due to possible contamination

SOUTH AFRICA – The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced a recall of 2989 units of infant nutrition products manufactured by Nutricia Southern Africa.

Nutricia Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (800g) and Nutricia Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (800g) baby formula products have been pulled from shelves at Clicks and Dis-Chem due to possible toxin contamination.

Nutricia Southern Africa indicated that a raw material used in the production of the affected batches may carry traces of cereulide. This toxin can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.

“Cereulide is a toxin that, at high levels of exposure, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps,” the statement said.

Earlier this year, Nestlé also recalled some batches of its Special Pro HA Infant Formula after identifying a potential presence of cereulide.

United Pharmaceutical has distributed the products nationally since August 2025. According to the manufacturer, these products were also exported to neighbouring countries, Botswana and Namibia.

The NCC said that it is monitoring this recall closely to ensure full compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and to safeguard consumer rights. 

The recall began early this year when the parent company, Danone, recalled a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the UK after cereulide toxin was detected.

The global infant formula safety scandal has escalated further, with Danone recalling a batch of Aptamil First Infant Formula in the UK after cereulide toxin was detected in the product.

The recall follows regulatory action in Singapore, where authorities halted sales of a Danone-manufactured infant formula brand due to potential bacterial risks.

Irish authorities have now confirmed that the affected formula was produced in Ireland and distributed across parts of the European Union, the UK and selected non-EU markets.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said the recall was linked to contamination of a specific ingredient used in infant and follow-on formula production.

According to the regulator, an ingredient known as ARA oil was contaminated with cereulide and subsequently added to the base powder used in formula manufacturing.

“An ingredient, ARA oil, which was manufactured in China, was contaminated with cereulide and added as an ingredient in base powder used to make infant formula and follow-on formula,” the authority said.

Danone said its internal quality controls had not identified any safety breaches and stressed that routine testing showed products were “fully compliant with all applicable safety regulations“.

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