MOSCOW, December 31, 2025 — Russia has banned imports of several Nestlé products due to the potential presence of cereulide toxin, also known as arachidonic acid. The move, announced today by the Russian state consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, impacts popular infant formula brands and raises questions about food safety standards for imported goods.
Infant Formula Recall Sparks Concerns Over Toxin Levels
The Russian import ban centers around concerns that raw materials used in Nestlé products contained levels of cereulide toxin that exceeded acceptable limits.
- Rospotrebnadzor has temporarily halted imports of several Nestlé products.
- The ban stems from the detection of cereulide toxin in a supplier’s raw materials.
- Symptoms of cereulide poisoning can mimic food poisoning or milk allergies.
- Nestlé Rossiya has initiated a voluntary withdrawal of affected batches.
According to information provided by Nestlé Rossiya, the Federal Consumer Protection Service implemented a “temporary sanitary measure of cessation of imports” for products including NAN 1 OPTIPRO, NAN 2 OPTIPRO, NAN Supreme, and NAN EXPERPRO. These products were manufactured between April 14 and November 27 of last year, Rospotrebnadzor reported on its official portal.
The agency explained that the toxin was identified in the raw materials sourced from one of Nestlé’s suppliers. Cereulide toxin, they noted, can cause vomiting and diarrhea within six hours of consumption, with symptoms closely resembling those of food poisoning or cow’s milk protein allergies.
Rospotrebnadzor urged consumers to consider this information when selecting products and confirmed that the sale of the affected infant formulas has been prohibited within Russia.
Nestlé Rossiya, in a statement on its official portal, announced that it is voluntarily withdrawing a limited batch of food products for minors starting this Monday. This action is a result of increased quality controls being implemented for raw materials from the external supplier in question.
The situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny of food safety practices and the potential risks associated with global supply chains. Consumers are advised to stay informed about product recalls and to consult with healthcare professionals if they experience any adverse reactions after consuming potentially contaminated food.
