Hong Kong authorities find toxins in 4 batches of milk formula recalled by Nestlé

Hong Kong authorities have discovered traces of a toxin in four batches of baby milk formula products previously recalled by Nestlé.In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the Centre for Food Safety said the Swiss food giant had recalled about 96,000 tins of affected products due to the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, found in the ingredients.The centre had issued a warning in early January when the Swiss food giant’s Hong Kong unit began recalling 21 batches of milk formula products after similar actions were taken in several European countries, with the number of affected batches later rising to 22.Nestlé had said the recall was a precautionary measure taken after it was discovered that an ingredient from a supplier used in the affected batches could contain a heat-stable toxin derived from the Bacillus cereus bacterium.The Centre for Food Safety said its follow-up investigation found that five samples from four batches – among the 22 earlier announced and recalled – tested positive for cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus, at levels ranging from 0.8 to 8.6 micrograms per kilogram of food.The affected products were: ILLUMA ATWO 1 (800g) with the batch number 51640017V1 and a best-before date of June 13, 2027; ILLUMA LUXA 2 (800g) with the batch number 51400017C1 and a best-before date of May 20, 2027; NAN INFINIPRO3 7HMO (800g) with the batch number 52770017V2 and a best-before date of October 4, 2027; and ILLUMA LUXA 1 (800g) with the batch number 51550017C3 and a best-before date of June 4, 2027.