A number of different Nestlé brand products have been recalled
Safety advice has been issued after a number of formula milk products were recalled (file picture)(Image: PA)
Parents in Hull and East Yorkshire using formula milk to feed their babies are being warned that 11 different Nestlé products have been removed from the market because of safety concerns. The Food Standards Agency has issued an alert after several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products were removed from sale as a precaution because of the possible presence of a harmful toxin.
Now, the consultant midwife for public health at NHS Humber Health Partnership, the organisation running maternity hospitals in Hull, Scunthorpe and Grimsby, is urging parents using formula milk to feed their children to take the following action.
Check batch numbers in any products you currently have to see if they are on the list issued by the Food Standards AgencyIf you have these products, stop using themIf your baby is vomiting or having cramps or appears unwell, contact your GP or call NHS111.You can contact Nestlé to request a refund
Sarah Wise, consultant midwife for public health, said: “What’s most important is that you check the list of products which are potentially affected by this toxin against the products you have at home. If you have these products, stop using them immediately to feed your baby, even if they’re not showing any signs of being unwell or sick.
“If you’ve got any concerns at all, contact your GP, midwife or health visitor.” Sarah said parents using formula milk can switch to a different brand without any health impact or adverse effect on their baby.
She said: “The NHS advises using first infant formula up to 12 months of age if you’re not breastfeeding or are mixed feeding but it’s ok to swap to a different brand. They’re all nutritionally equivalent and you will not harm your baby by swapping to another brand of formula milk suitable for babies up to one year old.”
If you are using Alfamino, lactose-free, comfort milk or anti-reflux products, you should ask your midwife, health visitor or GP about suitable alternatives. Nestlé’s precautionary recall relates to several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula products because they may contain cereulide, a toxin that is highly heat stable, meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, using boiling water or when making the infant milk.
Symptoms caused by this toxin include nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The recall is on products of certain pack sizes, batch codes and best-before dates, which is why parents are advised to check carefully.
The Food Standards Agency said: “If you have bought any of the products do not feed it to babies. Instead, share a photo of the product and the batch code via https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/getintouch or call the careline on 0800 0 81 81 80 for a refund.
“Nestlé have also added a tool to their website that will help to identify if a batch is or not under the scope of the recall. You can access this at https://www.smababy.co.uk/product-recall
“If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals, using the most appropriate route depending on where you live, (i.e., visit your GP, call NHS111).”