By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Health authorities in South Sudan have moved swiftly to pull specific batches of Nestlé SMA infant formula from shelves nationwide, citing a potential contamination that poses a serious risk to the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
The Drug and Food Control Authority (DFCA) issued the urgent directive following an official alert regarding the presence of cereulide, a potent toxin produced by strains of Bacillus cereus. Experts warn that unlike common bacteria, this toxin is highly heat-stable, meaning standard preparation methods—including the use of boiling water—are ineffective at deactivating or destroying it.
The ban centers on the rapid onset of symptoms associated with the toxin. Infants exposed to cereulide may experience nausea, severe vomiting, and abdominal cramps, with illness typically appearing within one to five hours of ingestion. In some instances, the onset of vomiting can occur up to six hours after feeding, presenting what regulators describe as a “potential risk to all infant consumers.”
The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has joined the regulatory crackdown, declaring the affected products non-compliant with regional and international safety standards. The Bureau has demanded an “instant cessation” of all distribution, warning that retailers found selling the banned formula will face severe penalties, including heavy fines or detention.
In light of these findings, the DFCA has instructed all wholesalers, retailers, and pharmacies to immediately quarantine affected stock. Businesses are required to submit a written recall report to the Authority within seven days, detailing the quantities recovered and their plans for final disposal.
Addressing the safety concerns, Nestlé emphasized that the withdrawal is a proactive measure intended to ensure the highest level of consumer protection. In an official statement, the company confirmed it has taken the “precautionary step of recalling several SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula because they may contain cereulide toxin.”
The company underscored its commitment to quality, stating that “the safety and wellbeing of babies is our absolute priority.” Nestlé further clarified the scope of the incident, noting that while the recall is significant, all other products and batches outside the specified list remain safe for consumption.
To assist caregivers, Nestlé has provided clear instructions for those who may have purchased the affected milk. “If you have bought any of the above products, do not feed it to babies,” the company warned. Instead, consumers are urged to “share a photo of the product and the batch code” via official digital channels or contact the company’s careline to receive a full refund.
For infants whose formula was originally prescribed by a health professional, Nestlé and the DFCA recommend consulting a pharmacist or doctor before switching to an alternative brand. The company stressed that even if a child has not yet shown signs of ill-health, it is “essential to stop using” the identified batches immediately.
This nationwide recall was triggered following an international alert regarding specific batches of Nestlé SMA and Nestlé Nan products. The contamination involves cereulide, a toxin known for causing rapid food-borne illness. While the DFCA and SSNBS continue to monitor the market, the public is advised to check batch codes on products including SMA Advanced, SMA Comfort, and SMA Anti-Reflux against the official list to ensure infant safety.