MBABANE – The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent public recall for a specific batch of Nestlé NAN Special Pro HA 800g infant formula, citing potential food safety risks due to the possible presence of a dangerous toxin.
The recall is precautionary and limited to products bearing batch number 51660742F3. This decisive action follows a global safety alert from Nestlé and is part of a coordinated international response to quality control concerns in the manufacturing process. The Ministry of Health’s statement, released on January 9, 2026, confirms that local retailers have been instructed to immediately remove the affected products from shelves to prevent further sale and consumption.
According to the ministry’s public statement, the recall is specifically for the NAN Special Pro HA 800g (0-12 Months) with the identified batch code. The potential contaminant of concern is cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by certain strains of bacillus cereus bacteria. The ministry has outlined clear steps for consumers. Parents and caregivers who have purchased this product are urged to check the container for the batch number. If the batch number matches 51660742F3, they must immediately stop feeding the formula to their infants. A suitable alternative should be sought in consultation with a healthcare professional or pediatrician.
The affected cans should be returned to the place of purchase. Retailers will then coordinate with the Environmental Health Department for the product’s secure disposal.
Emphasising the targeted nature of the action, the statement clarifies that this precautionary recall is specifically concerned with the NAN Special Pro HA 800g (0-12 Months), batch number 51660742F3.
It further reassures the public that Nestlé has not received any reports of illness linked to this specific batch and that all other Nestlé infant nutrition products remain safe.
While no cases have been reported, the recall is driven by the serious health risks associated with cereulide ingestion, particularly for infants, who are among the most vulnerable populations. Cereulide is an emetic toxin that can cause rapid-onset food poisoning. If an infant consumes formula contaminated with cereulide, symptoms could manifest within a short period, typically one to six hours after ingestion. The primary effects include severe nausea and repeated vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea, and lethargy and malaise. In severe, though rare, cases, especially with high toxin doses or in infants with weakened immune systems, cereulide has been linked to more critical conditions such as acute liver failure and metabolic acidosis. The rapid onset of vomiting and diarrhoea also poses a significant risk of dehydration in babies, which can become dangerous quickly and requires immediate medical attention.
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