The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has issued a warning to pharmacies across the country after contaminated batches of Nestle's SMA‑brand infant formula were found to contain cereulide, a toxin linked to food poisoning.
According to the MFDA, laboratory checks identified the presence of cereulide in several batches of SMA infant formula and followed‑on formula. The authority said Nestle' has decided to withdraw the affected products from the market as a precautionary measure. Similar recalls have been issued internationally after the toxin was detected in raw materials used in SMA and other Nestle' infant nutrition products.
Cereulide is a heat‑stable toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. Consumption of contaminated products can cause rapid‑onset symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, according to food safety agencies abroad.
Products flagged by MFDA
The contaminated items include SMA products with expiry dates falling in April, May, June, July, October and November 2026. The MFDA listed the following products:
SMA Advance First Infant Milk 800g  
SMA Advance Follow‑on Milk 800g  
SMA Anti‑Reflux 800g  
SMA Alfamino 400g  
SMA First Infant Milk 800g  
SMA First Infant Milk 400g  
SMA First Infant Milk 1.2kg  
SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk 800g  
SMA Comfort 800g  
SMA First Infant Milk 200ml  
SMA First Infant Milk 70ml  
SMA Lactose Free 400g  
International food safety authorities have also warned that cereulide contamination makes these products unsafe for infants, noting that the toxin cannot be destroyed by boiling water or normal formula preparation.
The MFDA noted that it has previously issued alerts regarding contaminated food and pharmaceutical imports into the Maldives.