News release | 23-01-2026 | 15:57
This week, various media reported on a recall of infant formula. Cereulide was detected in the formula; as a precaution, the affected products have been withdrawn from the market and the producer has issued a public warning. The NVWA understands that parents may be concerned about the consequences if their baby has consumed the affected formula.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has received two reports of children who allegedly became ill after consuming the formula (as of January 23). Additionally, there are reports of illness from a customer of the producer. The NVWA ensures that products potentially containing cereulide are withdrawn from the market and that producers take the appropriate actions.
In mid-December, the NVWA was informed by a producer of infant formula about contamination with cereulide in a product line that was not marketed in the Netherlands. The NVWA requested traceability data, which were shared with the countries where the products were sold.
On January 5, additional research by the producer showed that the problem originated from a raw material. This raw material ended up in more products and was also used at production sites outside the Netherlands. This notification also concerned infant formula sold in the Netherlands. Subsequently, these products were withdrawn from the market by the producer, who initiated a recall.
The NVWA has adopted and shared the producers public warning. The NVWA has ensured that the producer complied with legal regulations.
The NVWA and other authorities in the involved member states monitor the tracing of contaminated products and the raw material and oversee the actions taken. The origin of the raw material lies outside the Netherlands, thus outside the NVWAs supervision. However, based on the traceability data, the NVWA actively works to keep products with excessive contamination off the Dutch market.
Cereulide is a toxin produced by a specific group of bacteria. It can unintentionally enter a raw material. If cereulide enters food, it can cause vomiting, as well as abdominal pain and diarrhea. If a child has symptoms, contact a general practitioner. If there are suspicions that the symptoms were caused by consumption of infant formula, it is advisable to check via the batch number whether this is a product for which a warning has been issued. If it concerns another product, report it to the NVWA.
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