SSNBS issues public safety alert over contaminated Nestlé NAN infant formula

JUBA — The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has issued a public safety alert warning consumers, retailers, and distributors about a contaminated batch of Nestlé NAN infant formula circulating on regional and international markets.

In a statement released this week, the standards body announced that Nestlé NAN Special Pro HA 0–12 infant formulas, Batch Number 51660742F3, has been found to be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. The toxin poses a potential health risk to infants, prompting an urgent product recall notice.

“This notice is issued to inform the general public, distributors, and retailers about a specific batch of Nestlé NAN infant formula that may be circulating on regional and international markets,” the SSNBS said in its public safety statement.

According to the Bureau, laboratory and safety assessments confirmed that the affected batch “has been found to be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin… which poses a potential health risk to infants.” Cereulide is known to cause food poisoning and can be particularly dangerous for babies due to their developing immune systems.

In line with its regulatory mandate, SSNBS directed all sellers and distributors to immediately halt sales of the product. “In line with its mandate to protect public health and ensure the safety of food products on the market, the SSNBS hereby advises all distributors, sellers, and retailers to immediately cease the distribution and sale of this product,” the statement read.

Consumers who may have already purchased the product were also cautioned against using it. “Consumers who may be in possession of the affected batch are strongly advised not to use the product and to take necessary precautions to protect against food safety hazards,” SSNBS warned.

The Bureau further disclosed that the contaminated batch is already under official recall in the product’s country of origin and that recall notices are being displayed in stores internationally. “SSNBS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary,” the statement added.

The alert comes amid growing regional concern over the safety of imported food and pharmaceutical products, reinforcing the role of SSNBS in safeguarding public health. The Bureau called for full cooperation from importers, retailers, and the public to ensure the recalled product is swiftly removed from the market.