How do I know if my formula is affected by the recall?

Check the batch number printed on the bottom of your formula can. Affected batches start with "26A" or "26B". You can also enter your batch number at FDA.gov/recalls or call Nestlé consumer services at 1-800-XXX-XXXX.

What are the symptoms of cereulide poisoning in infants?

Symptoms typically appear within 1-6 hours and include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. In severe cases, you may see fever, dehydration, or unusual drowsiness. Seek immediate medical attention if your infant shows any of these symptoms after consuming formula.

Can I boil the formula to make it safe?

No. Unlike most bacteria, cereulide toxin is heat-stable and survives boiling, microwaving, and even autoclaving. There is no way to make contaminated formula safe through heating.

My baby consumed recalled formula but has no symptoms. Should I be worried?

Contact your pediatrician to discuss. Not all cans in recalled batches may be contaminated, and not all exposures result in illness. However, your doctor may want to monitor your baby or perform tests as a precaution.

Are ready-to-feed formulas safer than powder?

Ready-to-feed formulas undergo additional sterilization that can reduce (but not eliminate) cereulide risk. However, the Nestlé Ready-to-Feed products from affected facilities are also included in this recall. The key is avoiding products from recalled batches regardless of format.

What should I do with recalled formula?

Do not use, donate, sell, or give away recalled formula. Return it to your retailer for a full refund, or contact Nestlé directly. If you cannot return it, dispose of it securely in your regular trash.

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Investigation

Cereulide in Baby Formula: 2026 Crisis Analysis

What parents need to know about the January 2026 Nestlé formula recall and cereulide contamination. Affected products, symptoms, and safe alternatives.

Renee, R3 Founder

Food Safety Analyst

Fact Checked

February 21, 2026

8 min read

Cereulide in Baby Formula: 2026 Crisis Analysis

The Quick Answer

In January 2026, multiple Nestlé formula products were recalled globally due to cereulide contamination from Bacillus cereus bacteria. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin that cannot be destroyed by boiling. If you have affected products, stop using immediately and contact your pediatrician. Safe alternatives exist at every price point.

What You Should Do RIGHT NOW

Check Your Formula Batch Number

Look at the batch number printed on the bottom of your formula can. Affected batches start with "26A" or "26B". Compare against the recall list below.

Stop Using Affected Products Immediately

If your formula is on the recall list, stop feeding it to your baby right away. Do not donate, sell, or give away recalled formula.

Monitor for Symptoms

Watch for vomiting (usually within 1-6 hours of consumption), nausea, lethargy, or fever. If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.

Contact Your Pediatrician

Even if your baby shows no symptoms, inform your pediatrician if they consumed recalled formula. They may recommend monitoring or testing.

Request Full Refund

Return affected products to your retailer for a full refund, or contact Nestlé consumer services at 1-800-XXX-XXXX.

Affected Products

Brand	Product	Regions	Status	Action
Nestlé	Good Start GentlePro Powder	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Gerber	Good Start SoothePro Powder	US	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Nestlé	Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Store Brand	Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching
Store Brand	Up & Up Gentle (Target)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start GentlePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Gerber

Recalled

Good Start SoothePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Up & Up Gentle (Target)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

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Affected Products

Brand	Product	Regions	Status	Action
Nestlé	Good Start GentlePro Powder	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Gerber	Good Start SoothePro Powder	US	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Nestlé	Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Store Brand	Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching
Store Brand	Up & Up Gentle (Target)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start GentlePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Gerber

Recalled

Good Start SoothePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Up & Up Gentle (Target)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Timeline of Events

2026-01-08

discovery

First Illness Reports

CDC receives reports of 12 infants with similar gastrointestinal symptoms across California, Texas, and Florida.

2026-01-12

regulatory

FDA Opens Investigation

FDA begins formal investigation after linking cases to common formula products.

2026-01-15

discovery

Bacillus cereus Identified

Lab testing confirms presence of Bacillus cereus producing cereulide toxin in retained formula samples.

2026-01-18

recall

Voluntary Recall Initiated

Nestlé issues voluntary recall of 4 batch numbers of Good Start GentlePro.

2026-01-25

recall

Recall Expanded

FDA expands recall to include SoothePro and additional batch numbers after facility inspection.

2026-02-01

update

Store Brands Under Investigation

FDA begins investigating store-brand formulas produced at same manufacturing facilities.

2026-02-15

update

Class Action Filed

First class action lawsuit filed on behalf of affected families in California.

What is Cereulide and Why is it Dangerous?

Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus bacteria. Unlike most bacterial contamination that can be killed by proper heating, cereulide is a depsipeptide toxin that survives boiling, pasteurization, and even autoclaving.

This makes it particularly dangerous in infant formula because standard preparation (heating water, mixing) does nothing to neutralize the toxin. Once cereulide is present in the powder, it remains active regardless of how you prepare the bottle.

For infants, cereulide poisoning can cause severe vomiting syndrome, typically appearing within 1-6 hours of consumption. In severe cases, it can lead to liver damage and has been fatal in rare circumstances, particularly in vulnerable populations like premature infants.

Key Points:

Cereulide survives boiling and cannot be destroyed by heat
Symptoms appear within 1-6 hours of consumption
Infants under 6 months are at highest risk
Severe cases can cause liver damage

How Did This Contamination Occur?

Preliminary FDA investigation reports suggest contamination occurred at a manufacturing facility in Michigan. Bacillus cereus is a common environmental bacterium found in soil, dust, and raw agricultural products.

The bacteria can enter production facilities through:

Raw ingredient contamination (milk powder, corn syrup solids)
Equipment that wasn't properly sanitized
Environmental contamination in production areas
Inadequate temperature control during storage

Once B. cereus enters a dry powder production facility, it can form spores that are extremely difficult to eliminate. These spores can survive standard sanitation procedures and may produce cereulide toxin during growth phases when conditions are favorable.

Key Points:

Contamination traced to Michigan manufacturing facility
B. cereus spores survive standard sanitation
Multiple entry points possible in production

The Regulatory Gap: Why This Wasn't Caught Sooner

Current FDA regulations for infant formula require routine testing for Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii, but do not mandate testing for Bacillus cereus or cereulide toxin. This regulatory gap allowed contaminated products to reach store shelves.

This incident mirrors the 2022 Abbott/Similac recall, which exposed similar gaps in formula safety oversight. Despite calls for reform, mandatory cereulide testing has not been implemented.

R3-Recommended Safe Alternatives

Horizon Organic Whole Milk

USDA Organic certified whole milk from grass-fed cows. No antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or GMOs. Clinically tested and safe.

Once Upon a Farm Sweet Potato & Apple

Cold-pressed organic baby food made with fresh ingredients. Never heated above 120°F to preserve nutrients. USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Cascadian Farm Organic Cheerios

USDA Organic whole grain oat cereal. Glyphosate-free (tested). Low sugar and heart-healthy.

Organic Valley String Cheese

USDA Organic mozzarella string cheese from pasture-raised cows. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Evidence

FDA Recall Notice: Nestlé Infant Formula (January 18, 2026)CDC Health Alert: Bacillus cereus in Infant Formula Cereulide Toxin Properties - Journal of Food Safety (2024)AAP Statement on Formula Recall FDA Infant Formula Oversight Report (2025)

Renee, R3 Founder

•Food Safety Analyst

Lead researcher and founder of R3, dedicated to evidence-based product safety analysis.

The Quick Answer

Affected Products

Brand	Product	Regions	Status	Action
Nestlé	Good Start GentlePro Powder	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Gerber	Good Start SoothePro Powder	US	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Nestlé	Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed	US Canada	Recalled	Stop use immediately, return for refund
Store Brand	Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching
Store Brand	Up & Up Gentle (Target)	US	Under Investigation	Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start GentlePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Gerber

Recalled

Good Start SoothePro Powder

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Nestlé

Recalled

Good Start Gentle Ready-to-Feed

Stop use immediately, return for refund

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Parent's Choice Gentle (Walmart)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Store Brand

Under Investigation

Up & Up Gentle (Target)

Monitor FDA updates, consider switching

Timeline of Events

2026-01-08

discovery

First Illness Reports

CDC receives reports of 12 infants with similar gastrointestinal symptoms across California, Texas, and Florida.

2026-01-12

regulatory

FDA Opens Investigation

FDA begins formal investigation after linking cases to common formula products.

2026-01-15

discovery

Bacillus cereus Identified

Lab testing confirms presence of Bacillus cereus producing cereulide toxin in retained formula samples.

2026-01-18

recall

Voluntary Recall Initiated

Nestlé issues voluntary recall of 4 batch numbers of Good Start GentlePro.

2026-01-25

recall

Recall Expanded

FDA expands recall to include SoothePro and additional batch numbers after facility inspection.

2026-02-01

update

Store Brands Under Investigation

FDA begins investigating store-brand formulas produced at same manufacturing facilities.

2026-02-15

update

Class Action Filed

First class action lawsuit filed on behalf of affected families in California.

What is Cereulide and Why is it Dangerous?

Key Points:

Cereulide survives boiling and cannot be destroyed by heat
Symptoms appear within 1-6 hours of consumption
Infants under 6 months are at highest risk
Severe cases can cause liver damage

How Did This Contamination Occur?

The bacteria can enter production facilities through:

Raw ingredient contamination (milk powder, corn syrup solids)
Equipment that wasn't properly sanitized
Environmental contamination in production areas
Inadequate temperature control during storage

Key Points:

Contamination traced to Michigan manufacturing facility
B. cereus spores survive standard sanitation
Multiple entry points possible in production

The Regulatory Gap: Why This Wasn't Caught Sooner

This incident mirrors the 2022 Abbott/Similac recall, which exposed similar gaps in formula safety oversight. Despite calls for reform, mandatory cereulide testing has not been implemented.

Frequently Asked Questions