Four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations have initiated precautionary recalls of multiple Nestlé infant formula products following the detection of Bacillus cereus bacteria in a raw material ingredient. The contamination scare, which has triggered global health alerts across 37 countries, prompted coordinated action from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar on January 7th.
The UAE’s Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) announced the recall of specific batches including NAN Comfort 1, NAN Optipro 1, NAN Supreme Pro 1-3, Isomil Ultima 1-3, and Alfamino formulas. This decisive action came after laboratory analysis revealed traces of cereulide-producing bacteria in production materials, though no illnesses have been reported in connection with the products.
Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) simultaneously issued consumption advisories against Nestlé’s NAN, ALFAMINO, S-26 GOLD, and S-26 ULTIMA brands. The authority confirmed implementing comprehensive market withdrawal procedures in coordination with the Swiss food giant, emphasizing that the recall was initiated following Nestlé’s voluntary risk assessment notification.
Kuwaiti and Qatari health authorities mirrored these precautions, with Kuwait clarifying that affected products were not distributed through the nation’s ration card system. Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health urged consumers to return or dispose of specified batches while maintaining continuous monitoring of laboratory results.
Nestlé acknowledged the quality issue originated from a third-party supplier’s arachidonic acid oil component. The company has implemented global testing protocols for all potentially impacted oil mixes and established refund mechanisms for concerned consumers. Despite the extensive recall, the multinational corporation maintains that no confirmed illnesses have been linked to the products, characterizing the action as preventive consumer protection measure.
The coordinated GCC response demonstrates heightened regional food safety vigilance, with all affected nations maintaining open communication channels with the manufacturer while conducting ongoing safety assessments.