Father Seeks Answers After Infant Son Hospitalised Following Consumption of Recalled Nestle Formula
A father has spoken out about his family's distressing experience after his five-month-old son required hospital treatment following consumption of a now-recalled batch of Nestle baby formula. Rhys Edwards, who works in construction, has told Sky News he wants "answers" after placing his "faith and trust" in the multinational food and drink corporation.
Infant's Distressing Symptoms Prompt Hospital Visit
The concerning situation unfolded soon after the New Year when Mr Edwards' infant son began showing worrying symptoms. "He started vomiting and we were obviously a little bit concerned, but we didn't think it was anything, just general kids' stuff," Mr Edwards explained. "And then the next day he started vomiting, full on, all day."
The family's concern escalated to the point where they visited their GP, who immediately referred them to hospital due to concerns about the baby's blood glucose levels and potential dehydration. It was during this hospital stay that a relative alerted Mr Edwards to the Nestle formula recall that had been announced earlier in January.
Discovery of Affected Formula Batches
Upon checking their supply of SMA formula, the family made the alarming discovery that they had been feeding their son from one of the affected batches. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed finding cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, in batches of formula produced by Nestle.
Mr Edwards described the emotional impact of this realisation: "You feel guilty in a way that you've given them this stuff that's potentially got [the toxin] in. It's horrible. As parents, it is bewildering, the massive range of formulas on the shelves. So you pick a brand, and you think, 'Okay, this brand is going to be great. It's Nestle.' So, you kind of place your faith and your trust in them that all these checks are carried out."
Ongoing Health Concerns and Corporate Response
The family, who reside in Jersey, immediately switched to alternative formula, but Mr Edwards reports that his son's symptoms persisted for several days. The infant required further hospital treatment after "struggling to feed" and has "actually slipped a weight percentile" according to his father.
Mr Edwards has formally reported his case to Nestle and is seeking both answers and assurance that lessons will be learned from this incident. In response to the situation, a Nestle spokesperson stated that the company "moved quickly and decisively to voluntarily issue a recall notice on 5th January 2026. This was due to the possible presence of cereulide in certain products because of an ingredient used in specific batches."
Broader Industry Implications and Regulatory Action
The FSA has revealed that the contamination issue stems from an ingredient - specifically an oil - provided by a third-party supplier. This same supplier is shared with Danone, which has consequently recalled one batch of its Aptamil baby formula. FSA investigators, working alongside the UK Health Security Agency, have been examining more than 60 batches of Nestle SMA formula since the recall was initiated earlier this month.
Despite these concerning developments, authorities have confirmed that to date there have been no confirmed links of illness directly attributed to the recalled batches. The FSA has not disclosed how many batches their testing has revealed to be affected by the contamination issue.
Danone has issued its own statement emphasising that its priority "is to ensure that parents and healthcare professionals can continue to place their trust in the safety and quality of our infant formula products" and has directed concerned parents to their careline for support and information.