Direction to stop sale of five Nestle infant formula due to potential presence of toxin in infant formula

            The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has issued a direction to stop further sale of five batches of Nestle’s infant formula and follow-on formula as a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of cereulide toxin, while SFA’s investigations are ongoing. The European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed and the International Food Safety Authorities Network had issued the notification on 7 Jan and 8 Jan, respectively.

2            Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus bacterium, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. The symptoms, which typically appear between 30 minutes to six hours from consumption of an affected food item, will usually resolve within 24 hours. Vulnerable populations, such as infants and immunocompromised persons, are at higher risk for complications. Currently, there are no international standards on the acceptable level for cereulide toxin in infant formula and other food established by Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and most overseas competent authorities on cereulide.

3            To date, there are no confirmed cases of illness associated with consumption of the affected Nestle infant formula in Singapore. The Communicable Diseases Agency is working closely with SFA and is conducting surveillance with hospitals to monitor for potential cases of cereulide poisoning in children.

4       Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised not to feed them to their children. Those whose children have consumed these products and are unwell should seek medical advice promptly.