Warning issued as another baby formula is recalled in South Africa

Parents across South Africa are being urged to double-check their kitchen cupboards after another baby formula recall was announced this week.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) confirmed that two popular infant formula products made by Nutricia Southern Africa have been pulled from retail shelves over contamination concerns. The alert has raised fresh anxiety among families, particularly because it follows a similar recall earlier this year.

For many parents, baby formula is an essential item and news of a safety issue can quickly spark worry.

Which baby formula products are affected?

The recall affects two products:

• Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (800g)

• Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (800g)

According to the NCC, a total of 2,989 units were distributed across South Africa before the issue was identified. The products were sold at major pharmacy chains, including Dis-Chem and Clicks Group.

The manufacturer, Nutricia Southern Africa, alerted authorities after discovering that a raw ingredient used during production may contain traces of cereulide, a toxin linked to food poisoning.

The formula was also exported to neighbouring countries, including Botswana and Namibia.

Why the recall matters

Cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which is known to cause food-borne illness.

Health experts say high exposure can lead to symptoms such as:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal cramps

While the toxin is most commonly linked to food poisoning in adults, infants are considered particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems.

The NCC says it is closely monitoring the recall process to ensure that the affected products are removed from store shelves and that consumer rights are protected under the Consumer Protection Act (South Africa).

Parents react online

News of the recall quickly spread across parenting groups and social media platforms on Monday.

Many parents expressed concern about the number of formula alerts appearing this year. Some said they felt anxious about trusting brands they had relied on for years, while others urged fellow parents to check batch numbers immediately.

One mother wrote in a parenting forum: “With the price of formula already so high, the last thing parents need is worrying about whether it’s safe.”

Another parent commented that the recalls highlight the importance of strict safety checks in baby food manufacturing.

The second formula recall in 2026

This latest announcement comes only weeks after a similar situation involving Nestlé.

In January, the company recalled several batches of its SMA baby formula products after identifying a potential contamination with the same toxin.

At the time, Nestlé explained that cereulide can trigger food-poisoning symptoms that often appear suddenly, including vomiting and stomach cramps.

The company said the issue was traced to an ingredient supplied by a third-party supplier and confirmed that no illnesses had been reported.

What parents should do now

Consumers who purchased the affected Aptamil products are advised not to use the formula and to contact the manufacturer for guidance.

The NCC says parents can reach out to Nutricia Southern Africa through the company’s website or customer careline for further instructions on returns or refunds.

For families already dealing with the stress of raising young children, the message from authorities is simple: check the product packaging carefully and follow recall instructions if necessary.

As food safety experts often note, recalls are designed to act as a precaution, but when it comes to infant nutrition, even a precaution can feel personal.

{Source: The Citizen}

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