COMESA warns of infant milk recall over toxin contamination risk

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 10 – The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a warning over recalled infant milk products circulating across regional markets due to contamination risks.

The regulator said affected products, mainly under the Aptamil and Nursie brands, may contain traces of cereulide, a toxin linked to foodborne illness that can cause gastrointestinal complications in infants.

According to the Commission, the recall was triggered by alerts from authorities in South Africa and Morocco after contaminated raw materials were identified in production batches.

“The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of consumers in all COMESA Member States the risks associated with the consumption of the above recalled products,” said Steven Kamukama.

The affected products have been distributed in multiple markets, including South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, with wider circulation reported across parts of North and East Africa.

Some of the recalled items include Nutricia Aptamil Nutribiotik 2, Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3, and other Aptamil Premium and Nursie variants in different packaging sizes.

The products are linked to global dairy giant Danone, which owns the Aptamil brand and has faced similar recalls in Europe earlier this year over the same contamination concerns.

The Commission said retailers and distributors—including major chains such as Carrefour—have begun removing affected stock, with some countries moving to destroy recalled products.

Consumers, retailers and healthcare providers have been urged to remain vigilant, verify batch numbers, and report any suspected circulation of the affected products as authorities step up enforcement across the region.