Nestle formula recall rattles Malaysian parents: ‘who are we going to trust?’

SCMP | Jan. 12, 2026, 10 p.m. | Original

Health warnings related to baby milk formula recall have been issued by dozens of governments, from Europe and Australia to Brazil, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

When Nestle began pulling its baby milk formula off shelves last month over fears of contamination with a dangerous toxin, Malaysian father Mukhriz Hazim felt his trust in the world’s largest food company begin to falter.

Since news of the contamination scare first emerged primarily in Europe in December before spreading across the world, the 33-year-old father has taken to scouring the ingredients list on every formula box with almost forensic precision.

“If big nutrition companies are selling products that are laden with recalls and possible contaminants, who are we, as parents, going to trust?” asked Mukhriz, whose daughter is two months old.

Nestle announced last week that several of its formula brands – including BEBA, SMA and Alfamino – were being recalled as a precaution after traces of cereulide, a bacterial toxin capable of causing severe sickness, were found in a supplier’s oil.

A Swiss flag flutters on the headquarters of Nestle in Vevey, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters
A Swiss flag flutters on the headquarters of Nestle in Vevey, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

The Swiss food giant stressed that no illnesses had been reported to date, describing the recall as a proactive measure while investigations were under way.

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