Seychelles steps up border checks amid global infant formula contamination alert |28 February 2026
The Public Health Authority is providing an update regarding the ongoing international recall of infant milk formula linked to contamination with cereulide toxin, produced by certain bacteria.
Since the previous communication issued on January 22, 2026, the following developments have been noted. This update is shared in the interest of transparency and public awareness.
Global food safety authorities have confirmed that the source of contamination has been traced to contaminated arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, an ingredient used in the manufacture of several infant formula brands. The affected ARA oil was supplied to multiple manufacturers including Nestlé, Danone and Nutricia.
To date, nearly 100 countries worldwide including one importer in Seychelles have received affected infant formula or oil mixes, making this a large-scale international food safety incident.
The Public Health Authority (PHA) strongly advises members of the public to verify infant milk formula products carefully and to refrain from purchasing or using affected batches identified under the recall. The authority wishes to clarify that parents and caregivers are not discouraged from purchasing infant formula in general but are advised only to avoid the specific affected batches.
In response, the PHA is working in close collaboration with the Seychelles Revenue Commission’s (SRC) Customs Division for its support for the implementation of the following temporary control measures:
• Strengthened border control of infant milk formula at all points of entry. This includes reinforced control through seaport, airport and courier/postal consignments. The commission has been instructed to flag any infant milk formula, prior as well as upon their arrival in the country, followed by promptly notifying the PHA of any suspected affected products lined for importation.
• This will be done through enhanced scrutiny of Bills of Entry, including those lined for the green channel, with physical inspection of consignments by Customs and PHA where necessary.
• As a precautionary measure, all importers of infant formula must also submit supplier invoices and relevant documentation to the PHA (Food Control Unit) for review and approval prior to importation and clearing of any infant milk formula.
These temporary measures will be implemented for a period of six (6) months or until the situation has stabilised.
Members of the public are also encouraged to comply to the series of joint measures to be imposed by SRC and PHA, and to notify the Food Control Unit of the PHA should they encounter any of the affected products.
Further updates will be issued as additional information becomes available.
Accompanying the article is the updated list of the affected batches with the batch number which is normally printed at the base of the can.
Press release from the Ministry of Health