The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a public warning following the recall of several infant milk brands suspected of containing a harmful toxin, raising serious consumer safety concerns across member states. The commission confirmed that the affected products were also exported to Botswana and Namibia.

In a public notice, the commission revealed it had been alerted to multiple product recalls involving infant formula manufactured by a Southern African company and other brands distributed internationally. The recalled products are suspected to contain traces of cereulide, a toxin known to cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps when ingested at elevated levels.

Among the affected products are Nutricia Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (800g) and Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 (800g), with a total of 2,989 units recalled. The recall was initially announced by the National Consumer Commission of South Africa after investigations found possible contamination of a raw material used in production. These products were sold through major South African retailers including Dis-Chem and Clicks, and distributed by United Pharmaceutical since August 2025.

In addition, the commission highlighted another recall involving Aptamil and Nursie infant milk products after an alert from Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety. Moroccan authorities have seized the affected products and plan to destroy them after completing the recall process, citing the risk of digestive complications linked to cereulide contamination.