Recall of Alfamino Infant Formula
There has been a recall of fives batches of Alfamino infant formula due to the potential presence of a contaminant.
What you need to know
There has been a recall of fives batches of Alfamino infant formula, made by Nestlé, due to the potential presence of the toxin, cereulide.
There are two affected Pharmacodes 2657953 and 2632187. The affected batches of Alfamino infant formula are:
- Batch number 51070017Y2, use-by date 17.04.2027
- Batch number 51080017Y1, use-by date 18.04.2027
- Batch number 51480017Y3, use-by date 28.05.2027
- Batch number 51490017Y1, use-by date 29.05.2027
- Batch number 52030017Y1, use-by date 22.07.2027
If you are unable to access unaffected stock or a suitable similar alternative, contact Nestlé's urgent line on 0800 830 840.
Pharmac worked with Nestlé to get unaffected product to New Zealand via air freight to ensure people can access it.
Information for pharmacists
Check your stock to make sure it is not affected. Please inform anyone who may have purchased the product of the recall.
If people return tins of Alfamino and you have no unaffected product to supply, you will need to advise them to talk their prescriber (GP or dietitian) about a new prescription for a similar infant formula.
This recall is being managed by the Ministry for Primary Industries because it is a food product recall, rather than a medicine recall.
If you have confirmed that your stock and any products dispensed to people are unaffected, no further action is needed.
Information for caregivers
Check if you have any of the affected batches at home. If you have the affected Alfamino formula at home, do not feed it to your baby, if at all possible. Return it to the pharmacy that supplied it.
Pharmac funds a number of similar products. Talk to the person who prescribed the Alfamino about what options are available. This may be your GP or a dietitian.
If you are unable to access unaffected stock or a suitable similar alternative, contact the Nestlé urgent line on 0800 830 840.
If your child has consumed this product and you have any concerns about their health, seek medical advice.
Information for GPs and dietitians
Where no unaffected stock of Alfamino is available, patients will need a new prescription for a similar product.
You may need to prepare instructions to support a move to an alternative product. A new special authority number is not required.
There are alternatives available
Two similar products are available and funded by Pharmac, which may be suitable alternatives:
- Neocate Gold
- Neocate SYNEO
Schedule listings for amino acid formula(external link)
The Elecare infant formula continues have supply issues and is not available as an alternative.
This issue does not affect any other special foods supplied by Nestlé or other special foods from other suppliers in New Zealand.
Who to contact
For further details about the recall, see the recall notice on the MPI website(external link).
Nestlé's information about the recall(external link)
If you have any general questions about the product being recalled, then contact Nestlé directly on 0800 864 685.