Portugal news explained

The Lisboeta

ASAE withdraws specific Nestlé infant‑formula batches

Saturday, 10 January 2026AI summary

🏛️ Government 🩺 Health #public-safety #infant-formula #healthcare #consumer-safety

ASAE withdraws specific Nestlé infant‑formula batches

The Food and Economic Safety Authority (Food and Economic Safety Authority (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica)) has overseen the market withdrawal of specific NAN and Alfamino Júnior batches after detecting the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, in a raw material. Nestlé had already begun removing lots and ASAE emphasises the measure is precautionary; no illnesses have been reported so far. Parents and carers in Portugal should check batch numbers, follow retailer or manufacturer instructions, and watch ASAE notices for return/disposal guidance.

Context & Explainers

The Food and Economic Safety Authority (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica) — commonly called ASAE — is Portugal’s national inspectorate that enforces food safety, consumer protection and economic crime prevention; it inspects businesses, orders product withdrawals and can issue fines. For expats, ASAE is the body that publishes official recall notices (like today’s infant formula withdrawal), coordinates with EU alert systems and tells you whether to stop using, return or report a specific batch.

Cereulide is an emetic toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus; it is heat- and acid-stable, so it can survive processing and cause rapid-onset vomiting and, in rare cases, more severe illness. Because infants are especially vulnerable, detection of cereulide in formula typically triggers recalls — if your product is affected, stop using it, keep the packaging for batch information and contact a pediatrician if your baby shows vomiting, fever or signs of dehydration.