South African parents are being urged to check their cupboards after a nationwide recall was issued for specific batches of baby formula products following safety concerns about a potential toxin.
The recall affects nearly 3,000 tins of infant formula, after it emerged that a raw ingredient used during production may contain traces of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps at high exposure levels.
As a precautionary measure, consumers who purchased the affected products have been advised to stop using them immediately and return them to retailers.
The Products at the Centre of the Recall
The recall affects two infant nutrition products produced by Aptamil and Aptajunior, brands widely used by parents for infant and toddler nutrition.
The products identified include:
Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (800g)
Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (800g)
Approximately 2,989 units have been identified as part of the recall.
Parents are being advised to check batch numbers and expiry dates, particularly those with expiry dates later in 2026, to determine whether their product may be affected.
Where the Products Were Sold
The affected tins were distributed nationally and sold through major pharmacy and retail chains, including Clicks and Dis-Chem, two of the country’s largest health and pharmacy retailers.
Distribution began in August 2025, meaning the products may still be present in households across South Africa.
Some of the affected products were also exported to neighbouring markets, including Botswana and Namibia, widening the scope of the recall beyond South Africa.
Why the Recall Was Issued
The concern centres around cereulide, a toxin produced by certain bacteria that can contaminate food ingredients during production.
While the recall is precautionary, the decision reflects the strict safety standards applied to infant nutrition products. Because formula can be a primary food source for babies, regulators typically act quickly when even a potential risk is identified.
A Sensitive Category for Consumers
Infant nutrition is one of the most sensitive categories in consumer goods. For parents, choosing a baby formula product involves a high level of trust in both the brand and the safety systems behind it.
When recalls occur, they can quickly attract public attention because they involve products designed for newborns and young children.
In this case, authorities have emphasised that the recall is intended to remove any potential risk from circulation as quickly as possible.
What Parents Should Do
Parents and caregivers who purchased the affected products are advised to:
Check the batch number and expiry date on the tin
Stop using the product immediately if it matches the recalled batches
Return the product to the retailer where it was purchased
Retailers are expected to facilitate returns or refunds for consumers who may have purchased the affected tins.
