Contaminated Nestlé Formula Pulled from South Sudan Market

Standards Body Orders Removal of Tainted Baby Milk

(JUBA) – The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards has issued an urgent directive to pull a specific batch of Nestlé infant formula from the market due to a serious contamination risk.

The regulator has identified the product as Nestlé NAN Special Pro HA infant formula, which is designed for babies from birth to twelve months. The order specifically targets batch number 51660742F3. This batch was produced in June 2025 and has an expiry date of December 2026. The Bureau has told all business owners, distributors and retailers to stop selling this product immediately.

According to technical reports, the formula contains a toxin called cereulide. This substance is produced by bacteria and is known to be very resistant to heat. This means that the common practice of using boiling water to prepare the milk will not destroy the toxin or make the milk safe for consumption. Health experts warn that infants who consume the tainted formula may experience food poisoning and vomiting within six hours of being fed.

Honourable Gloria Nyoka Joseph Lasu, the Executive Director of the Bureau, signed the official recall notice on Monday. The notice makes it clear that the product fails to meet the safety requirements set by regional and international bodies. The Bureau warned that any business caught selling the formula after this notice will face legal action. These penalties may include heavy fines or the detention of the sellers.

The recall in South Sudan is part of a larger global safety operation involving Nestlé products. The company has traced the issue back to a quality problem with an ingredient from one of its major suppliers. While no cases of illness have been confirmed in South Sudan so far, the Bureau is acting to prevent any potential health crisis among the country’s youngest citizens.

The Bureau has advised consumers who have already purchased the formula to stop using it and return it to the shop for a refund.

For further enquiries, the public and business community can visit the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards office in the Kololo area of Juba. The office is located near the American Residence. The Bureau can also be contacted by phone at +211 921 579 458 or through their official email at info@ssnbs.gov.ss.