Twenty-one batches of Nestle infant and children’s formula have been recalled in Hong Kong due to possible Bacillus cereus contamination.

No reports of illness have been received so far.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said it has been monitoring a voluntary and precautionary recall by Nestle of specific formula batches in parts of Europe.

The recall is related to the possible presence of Cereulide - a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus - in a raw material used in production. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea.

After follow-up investigations, 21 batches of potentially affected powdered infant and young children formula had been imported into the city, involving Nestle NAN, Wyeth Nutrition S-26 ULTIMA 2 and ILLUMA products.

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The authority spokesperson urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume relevant products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children if they have consumed those products and feel unwell afterward. Outlets should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.

“The CFS has alerted the trade and relevant departments over the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action,” the spokesperson said.

Mike Kwan Yat-wah, president of the Asian Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, said the most serious issue is that the toxins produced by Bacillus cereus cannot be destroyed by heat.

“Even if very hot water is used to prepare the formula, there is still a chance the toxins may not be eliminated. The most concerning symptoms caused are diarrhea, vomiting and — according to some reports — if the bacteria enter the eyes of a person with a weak immune system, it can lead to intraocular inflammation or even blindness,” Kwan said.

According to Nestle’s global site, the problem arose as the company detected “a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier”, and Nestle has been testing all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially affected infant nutrition products.

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As ARA oil is used in a range of different infant nutrition products sold globally, multiple brands and products in different countries will be affected.

Nestle Hong Kong Ltd has halted sales of the concerned products. The company stated on its website that no reports of illness associated with the relevant products have been received.

Consumers who have purchased products from the specific batches may call the customer service hotline or return the product directly to the place of purchase to arrange for a refund.

Pharmacies across Hong Kong have been removing the affected infant formula from shelves since Wednesday. Some pharmacies, although they did not stock the relevant batches, have also taken down the same product line as a precaution.

Upon learning of the recall, a concerned mother surnamed Lee grew anxious as her child, who drinks Mead Johnson formula, had recently experienced vomiting.

While that brand is not part of the current recall, Lee expressed a broader concern: “If the issue originated with a shared supplier, could it potentially impact other brands? I hope this issue will be clearly addressed.”

Nestle China also announced on Tuesday evening a precautionary recall of 30 batches of products. The news has sparked heated discussion on the Chinese mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu, where some users reported their children experiencing symptoms such as vomiting or fever immediately after consuming the formula.

Kwan suggested that parents should check the condition of the seal on the tins of the formula and look for any surface damage before opening; he also advised parents to seek medical attention as soon as possible if their children show signs of intestinal discomfort or fever.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com