FSAI defends decision not to issue enforcement notice over Nestlé's SMA infant formula recall

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has defended the decision to allow Nestlé to make a voluntary recall of SMA infant formula rather than issuing an enforcement notice about its removal from shops.

Some 18 batches of the SMA infant formula and follow-on formula products were recalled due to the possible presence of the toxin cereulide.

Although no illnesses have been reported, the FSAI advised anyone who has these products at home not to use them with babies or young children.  

FSAI director of audit, incidents, and investigations Michelle Minihan has defended the authority’s decision to allow Nestlé to make a voluntary recall. Ms Minihan said an enforcement issue had not been issued because the products were manufactured in other European countries.

"The competent authorities, such as ourselves in those other European countries, are overseeing that recall. We have been in communication with our colleagues across the EU to understand the nature and extent of the issue that's going on with these particular infant formulas," Dr Minihan told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

"And we will ensure and follow up with those competent authorities in those countries where it is manufactured to make sure corrective actions are taken in the plants."

Ms Minihan said the potential harm to infants and young children was nausea and vomiting, and the advice to parents and caregivers was to check if they had the affected products, to stop feeding them to their children and to seek medical advice if the child was displaying symptoms.

The toxin is particularly heat-resistant. That means if you prepare the infant formula as per the instructions, it won't be killed satisfactorily and it can cause illness in infants and young children, such as nausea and vomiting.

"Immediately stop feeding it to your infant or young child and if they're not displaying any symptoms of illness, then you don't need to take any further action. However, if they are displaying symptoms of an illness, you should seek the advice of a medical professional or a healthcare professional."

Ms Minihane said customers of Nestlé who have the product on their shelves were contacted on Monday to remove affected batches. 

"That has happened. We will be verifying that today. So what's on the shelves are unaffected products."

The FSAI said batches of the following products have been affected: SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow On Milk, SMA Comfort, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Gold Prem 2, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk and SMA Alfamino.

The full list can be found on the FSAI website.