Armenian regulator demands recall of NAN infant formula batches

YEREVAN, January 9. /ARKA/. Nestlé has recalled several batches of infant formula worldwide due to the discovery of a potential risk of cereulide toxin contamination.

At the request of the Armenian Food Safety Inspectorate, companies importing these NAN brand batches into Armenia immediately began the recall process.

Although no confirmed cases of illness have been linked to this manufacturer, the recall is being carried out as a precautionary measure.

In early January, the Swiss company Nestlé announced the recall of a certain quantity of instant and fermented milk formulas and amino acid-based therapeutic dietary formula as a precautionary measure due to the identified potential risk of cereulide toxin in raw materials (arachidonic acid) from an external supplier.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid naturally present in breast milk. It is essential for normal growth and development in children, particularly for the development of the brain, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. Nestlé adds ARA to its formulas to closely approximate their composition to breast milk and provide complete nutrition for infants.

Cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus, is classified as an emetic toxin. It is not destroyed by heat treatment and is dangerous even in very small doses, especially for infants and young children. Cereulide can cause nausea, severe vomiting, and abdominal pain. Therefore, its detection in infant formula is considered a critical food safety incident.-0-