If your baby relies on Alfamino, it’s worth checking the tin before the next feed.

New Zealand Food Safety, Pharmac and the Ministry of Health are supporting Nestlé in a recall of five batches of Alfamino 400g infant formula for babies with milk allergies, due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus that can cause gastrointestinal illness.

There have been no reports of illness linked to this recall in New Zealand or internationally.

In New Zealand, the affected imported product is not sold in supermarkets and is mainly publicly funded through hospitals, pharmacies and GPs, although a small amount may have been bought over the counter at pharmacies or online.

The affected batches are 51070017Y2 (use-by 17.04.2027), 51080017Y1 (use-by 18.04.2027), 51480017Y3 (use-by 28.05.2027), 51490017Y1 (use-by 29.05.2027), and 52030017Y1 (use-by 22.07.2027).

For more information, contact Nestlé on 0800 864 685.

Prescribers and pharmacies are being advised of the recall and asked to inform parents and guardians.

If you have an affected batch at home on the Hibiscus Coast, do not feed it to your baby if at all possible, and return it to where you bought it for a full refund.

Pharmac funds alternatives, so talk with your pharmacist or GP about what’s best for your baby.

If you have no alternative infant formula for tonight and tomorrow, contact Healthline on 0800 611 116.

If your baby has consumed the affected formula, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea (which can be severe or persistent), or unusual lethargy, typically appearing 30 minutes to 6 hours after exposure and usually resolving within 24 hours.

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