Like the large-scale Nestlé baby formula recall in January, the Nutricia products may contain the toxin cereulide.

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Another major European food group has launched a recall of baby formula, with parents asked to return almost 3 000 units sold in South Africa.

Like the large-scale Nestlé baby formula recall in January, the products may contain cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin that can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps.

The National Consumer Commission announced the recall of Nutricia Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (800g) and Nutricia Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (800g) on Friday afternoon.

The official South African recall comes weeks after French food giant Danone, which owns Nutricia, announced in Paris that it would withdraw some of the affected products. In countries like the UK, products were recalled a month ago.

The consumer commission said 2 989 units must be returned. Distributed by United Pharmaceutical, the products have been sold at Dis-Chem and Clicks since August 2025.

“Nutricia Southern Africa indicated that a raw material used in the production of the affected batches may carry traces of cereulide. Cereulide is a toxin that, at high levels of exposure, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps,” the commission said.

The products were also exported to Botswana and Namibia.

At the start of the year, the Swiss giant Nestlé recalled a batch of its NAN Special Pro baby formula from South Africa’s shelves as part of a global recall.

READ | Nestlé recalls NAN baby formula batch in SA over toxin fears

Its SMA, BEBA and NAN infant and follow-on formulas were included.

The group had detected a “quality issue” in an ingredient sourced from one of its major suppliers, Reuters reported.