PRESS RELEASE
(For immediate release)
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE RECALL ON NESTLÉ NAN INFANT FORMULA IN
RESPONSE TO SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTS
Lusaka, Zambia – 11th January, 2026
The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that it is aware of media reports regarding a recall of Nestlé NAN infant formula due to a toxin.
You may wish to note that the Ministry of Health is mandated under the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 to protect the public from health hazards and fraud in the manufacture, sale, and use of food. Furthermore, Section 13 of the Food Safety Act prohibits the sale of food products that do not comply with established food safety requirements.
In line with this legal mandate, and following media reports on the matter, the Ministry, through its Food Safety Surveillance System under the Department of Public Health, engaged official international notification channels, including authorities in South Africa as the exporting country, to ascertain whether Zambia was among the countries that imported the infant formula in question.
The product in question is infant formula known as NAN Special Pro 0-12months, which has been affected by potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by a strain of bacteria called Bacillus Cereus. However, the Ministry would like to inform members of the Public that Zambia is not listed among the importing countries of this particular infant formula.
Nevertheless, in order to enhance product surveillance, the following information is
beneficial to members of the public for product identification.
Product information
The infant formula known as NAN Special Pro 0-12months was produced for South Africa
by Germany.
Description: Infant Formulae for Special Dietary Use (R 9991 of 2012)
Packaging and sizes: single (800g) tins
Bulk (6 x 800g) case
Batch/Identification Code/s:
Batch Number: 51660742F3
Best Before Date: 15 December 2026
Date of Manufacture: 15 June 2025
Shelf Life: 18 months
The Ministry also directs Food safety Inspectors across the country to enhance food safety surveillance, remove any non-compliant products from the market, and take legal action where necessary. This applies to all food products, including those labelled in
languages other than English.
The public is also advised to rely on official Government communications from the
Ministry and be assured all measures are being undertaken for continued surveillance.
Should any member of the Public come across the affected product with the above listed
details, report to the nearest District Health office or Public health department under your
local councils.
Issued by:
(Original Copy Signed)
Georgia Mutale Chimombo
Principal Public Relations Officer/ Spokesperson
