Parents and caregivers across Southern Africa are being urged to check their baby formula tins immediately following an official announcement by the South African National Consumer Commission confirming a NAN Special Pro HA infant formula recall affecting products sold in South Africa and exported to Namibia and Eswatini.
The recall applies to a specific 800-gram tin of NAN Special Pro HA infant formula, intended for babies aged zero to twelve months, bearing batch number 51660742F3. Authorities say the move is precautionary, prompted by concerns over the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus that can pose food safety risks, especially for infants.
What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know
Health officials and consumer watchdogs are calling for immediate action, advising parents to carefully check the batch numbers on any NAN Special Pro HA infant formula they have at home. If the recalled batch is identified, caregivers are urged to stop using the product immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Nestlé has confirmed the recall and emphasised that no illnesses linked to the affected batch have been reported so far. The company says the withdrawal is being conducted in full cooperation with regulatory authorities as part of standard food safety protocols.
According to Nestlé, the issue was detected after a quality concern was identified in an ingredient supplied by a leading vendor, prompting further testing of arachidonic acid oil used in certain infant nutrition products.
A Wider Recall With Direct Regional Impact
The NAN Special Pro HA infant formula recall is not an isolated incident. In recent months, Nestlé has expanded precautionary withdrawals in multiple global markets, including parts of Europe and the Middle East, following similar findings linked to cereulide contamination risks.
Investigations traced the concern to specific oil mixes used in infant formula production, triggering what industry analysts describe as one of the more extensive infant nutrition recalls in recent years. While global in scope, the impact on households in Southern Africa has been immediate, with authorities stressing vigilance at household level.
Why This Matters in Zimbabwe and Across Africa
Although Zimbabwe has not been listed among the affected markets, the recall has drawn attention locally because Nestlé’s NAN brand is widely used and trusted across Africa, including in Zimbabwe. Many families rely on NAN formulas for infants who cannot be exclusively breastfed due to medical, economic, or lifestyle reasons. Moreover hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans live in South Africa, some could have taken the products for their relatives or own babies to Zimbabwe during the festive season. Besides that, South Africa exports many products to Zimbabwe, the formula could have been exported through small businesses.
The NAN Special Pro HA infant formula recall has therefore resonated beyond borders, highlighting the interconnected nature of food supply chains and the importance of rapid consumer alerts in protecting infant health across the region.
Quick Tips for Parents
- Check the batch number: Look for 51660742F3 on any NAN Special Pro HA infant formula tins.
- Stop feeding and return: If the batch matches, stop use immediately and return it to the retailer for a full refund.
- Monitor your baby: While no cases have been confirmed, seek medical advice if an infant shows symptoms such as persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or unusual lethargy.
- Stay informed: Follow official updates from the National Consumer Commission and Nestlé consumer services.
A Pattern of Heightened Infant Formula Scrutiny
The NAN Special Pro HA infant formula recall forms part of a broader trend of heightened scrutiny around infant nutrition safety worldwide. Over the past two years, Nestlé has also issued recalls affecting SMA, BEBA, Guigoz, and related brands in different markets, often linked to precautionary bacterial or toxin-related concerns..
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