Swiss-based Nestle Group expanded its recall list on 4/1, adding batches of Guigoz brand infant formula in France and SMA in the UK, Reuters reported. The affected product in France is Guigoz Optipro Relais one, batch 53470346AA. In the UK, the recall includes SMA First Infant Milk, 800 grams, batch 53390346AB, with an expiry date of December 2027. This additional UK batch was distributed in Northern Ireland.

This latest action follows the agreement by French and European authorities to implement a new analytical method, which lowered the safe limit for cereulide toxin in early February. Effective after the EU meeting on 28/1, the new limit is 0,014 micrograms of cereulide per kg of body weight, a reduction from the previous 0,03 micrograms.

The additional recalled infant formula product in the UK, distributed in Northern Ireland. *Food Safety Authority of Ireland*

Toxicology experts suggest that cutting the limit by more than half indicates authorities now view this toxin as significantly more dangerous. The European Union aims to create a more robust "safety buffer" to protect vulnerable infants. This regulation prioritizes "maximum caution," proactively preventing risks instead of reacting to incidents. For companies such as Nestle, this poses a substantial challenge in raw material control, requiring them to screen inputs twice as rigorously.

Nestle stated this expanded recall aligns with the cautious approach, despite earlier predictions that no further withdrawals would be needed after crisis responses in December 2025 and last January. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) UK also issued a warning to parents regarding the latest affected product list.

The infant formula recall crisis began in late December 2025, originating from the detection of cereulide toxin in raw materials at a supplier factory in Trung Quoc. This supplier provided ingredients to major dairy companies such as Nestle, Danone, and Lactalis. Cereulide causes nausea and vomiting, and its presence prompted numerous countries, including Vietnam, to issue product recalls in January.

While Nestle notes no specific legal regulations currently cap cereulide levels in infant formula, regulatory pressure is mounting. Last week, the FSA confirmed to Sky News that investigations detected the toxin in Nestle's SMA batches and one Aptamil batch from Danone.

The situation intensified as French investigators examine potential links between the recalled products and the deaths of two infants. Consumer protection organization Foodwatch, representing eight families with sick children, filed a criminal complaint in Paris, alleging manufacturers delayed warning the public about the contamination risk.

By Binh Minh (Based on reports from Reuters, Sky News, and Nestle)