By Patience Gondo
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued an alert to ports of entry, following a recall by Nestle of a specific batch of infant formula that was distributed in South Africa and other neighbouring countries.
The alert follows Nestle’s announcement of a recall of NAN Special Pro HA 0–12 (800g), a speciality infant formula manufactured in Germany. The recalled product carries batch number 51660742F3, with a manufacturing date of June 15 2025 and a best
before date of 15 December 2026.
In a circular issued January 2026, the Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze advised Provincial Medical Directors and City Health Directors to ensure that officers on the ground and at ports of entry remain on the lookout for the affected product.
Maunganidze said traceability information shows that the affected batch was distributed only in South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia and has not been officially supplied to Zimbabwe.
Despite this, the Secretary said precautionary measures are necessary to ensure that the product does not enter the country.
He directed that any identified stock be removed from shelves, with officers required to record quantities and product descriptions before the goods are returned to the manufacturer.
Beitbridge, Zimbabwe’s busiest border post and the main entry point from South Africa is among the ports where the directive applies, given the volume of travellers and goods entering the country daily.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care said there have been no reported cases linked to the recalled product in Zimbabwe.
Parents and caregivers have been encouraged to check labels and batch numbers on infant formula, particularly products sourced outside formal retail channels.
Dr Maunganidze said the ministry remains committed to protecting infant health adding that authorities will continue monitoring the situation in line with the recall notice.