COMESA issues consumer alert as Nestlé recalls infant formula over safety fears

January 9, 2026 in Companies, Trade & Industry by Editor

The COMESA Competition Commission has issued a regional consumer alert after Nestlé recalled several infant formula brands over contamination concerns, warning that affected batches may have entered COMESA markets through online retailers. Consumers are urged to check products, stop use immediately and seek refunds.

The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) has warned consumers across the region to check their infant formula purchases after Nestlé initiated a global voluntary recall of several baby formula brands due to potential contamination.

Nestlé announced on January 3 that specific batches of its SMA, NAN, BEBA and Alfamino formulas were being recalled worldwide following the possible presence of cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacterium. The toxin can trigger severe vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly in infants. No illnesses have been confirmed so far.

The recall has already been activated in several African markets — including South Africa, Namibia and Eswatini — and the CCC cautions that the affected batches may have entered other COMESA countries through cross-border trade and online platforms.

The Commission notes that the products are accessible to buyers through online marketplaces such as Jumia.co.ke in Kenya and youbuy.mw in Malawi, increasing the likelihood of cross-border consumer exposure.

“The Commission is therefore concerned that the recalled product batches might have been imported into the COMESA region,” said Steven Kamukama, Director of Consumer Welfare and Advocacy at the CCC, in a January 8 statement.

The CCC advises parents and caregivers not to feed any affected formula to their babies. Consumers should return the products to the point of purchase for a full refund or contact Nestlé customer care lines for guidance. Nestlé says all other batches and all other product lines remain safe for consumption.

Because cereulide is not destroyed by boiling water, the Commission stresses that precaution is essential even where no symptoms are present.

The CCC is coordinating with national consumer bodies — including South Africa’s National Consumer Commission — to monitor the spread of the recalled batches and ensure compliance with refund and withdrawal procedures.

The agency also urged authorities in COMESA member states to heighten surveillance at retail outlets, pharmacies and online traders.

Nestlé’s Previous Recall in the Region

This is not the first time Nestlé products have triggered a regional response. In February 2022, the CCC issued a consumer alert after Nestlé South Africa recalled limited batches of Kit Kat milk chocolate over fears the products could contain small pieces of glass. Consumers were instructed to stop consumption immediately and seek refunds, with the CCC reminding the public of their right to compensation in case of harm.

For the latest confirmed batch numbers, consumers can check: