HiPP not affected - Information from HiPP regarding the current recall of certain infant

We understand the concerns surrounding the current recall of certain infant formulas due to the potential presence of cereulide - a toxin produced by the microorganism Bacillus cereus - which was detected in the ingredient ARA (arachidonic acid oil).

We would like to reassure you:

Parents can use our HiPP milk formulas without any concern.
HiPP milk formula is not affected by the recall.
HiPP sources ARA from suppliers that are not impacted by the recall.

As a manufacturer of baby food products, we are aware of our special responsibility towards our little consumers. Therefore, HiPP does everything possible to ensure only products of the highest quality and safety are put up for sale.

HiPP products are safe and doubtlessly suitable for the nutrition of babies and toddlers.

Questions and answers about the recall of baby food products in connection with cereulide

Since mid-December 2025, various baby foods from different manufacturers have been recalled internationally.
These recalls have caused concern among many parents, a concern that we fully understand. We also understand the questions raised by our retail partners.

First things first: HiPP milk formulas are not affected by these recalls.

Safety and quality at HiPP

HiPP takes responsibility from the very beginning to ensure safety.

Our responsibility for a HiPP product does not begin with the finished article.

It begins much earlier, at the point where safety has the greatest impact.

with strictly controlled raw materials
in close cooperation with our reliable partner companies
early detection and control of potential critical points throughout the entire production chain, from raw materials to the finished product on the shop shelf.

HiPP has established an extensive network of controls across all stages, each building on the previous one.
The nodes of this network are our quality requirements, limit values, and test criteria. Only raw materials and products that consistently meet these specifications pass through the network. This means that potential risks can be ruled out right from the start.

This proactive approach ensures the product safety that parents can expect from HiPP.

Information about the recalls

Why were the foods recalled?
The reason for the recall is that the toxin cereulide has been detected in the affected products.
What is cereulide?
Cereulide is a toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
In the current recall cases, the presence of cereulide is thought to be due to the use of the ingredient ARA (arachidonic acid-rich oil) by some manufacturers.
What does cereulide do?
If sufficient quantities of cereulide are formed and ingested through food, nausea and vomiting can occur within 30 minutes to six hours. These symptoms usually subside within 24 hours without treatment.
However, in infants, vomiting and diarrhoea can quickly lead to complications. In such cases, it is therefore essential to consult a paediatrician or go to the emergency room.
What is Bacillus cereus?
Bacillus cereus is a widespread, spore-forming bacterium.
If appropriate precautions are not taken, spore-containing dust can contaminate food or production facilities.
How did cereulide get into infant formula?
According to publicly available information, the toxin entered the recalled milk formula via ARA oil supplied by a single supplier to various manufacturers.
HiPP does not source any raw materials from this supplier.

Arachidonic acid-rich oils (ARA oil) at HiPP

Do HiPP products contain ARA oil?
Yes. HiPP uses ARA oil.
Which HiPP foods contain ARA oil?
ARA oil is contained in all HiPP infant formulae, including stages Pre and 1, as well as in the special formulae HiPP Comfort and HiPP AR, in accordance with scientific recommendations.
What is ARA oil and why is it used?
ARA oil contains arachidonic acid, which a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid belonging to the omega-6 fatty acid class.
Omega-6 fatty acids are naturally present in breast milk. To ensure that infants who are not breastfed also receive sufficient amounts of these essential fatty acids, ARA is added to infant formula, e.g. in the form of vegetable oils, such as Mortierella alpina.

Safety, quality, origin

What measures has HiPP taken in response to the incident?
At HiPP, safety has been our top priority from the very beginning.
Even before selecting a supplier, we conduct a thorough review of their production processes and supply chains. Only if these meet our strict requirements do we establish a business relationship. This means we know exactly how our suppliers produce their goods and what measures they use to ensure the quality of their raw materials. Process safety is a top priority for HiPP.
We got in touch with our ARA oil supplier straight away after the incidents at our competitors became known at the end of 2025, asking them to reconfirm their procedures and the in-process controls they carry out.
Moreover, we have maintained close and continuous communication with our ARA oil supplier since then. They consistently provide us with information and data that attests to the safety of their ARA oil.
Is there a risk to consumers from HiPP milk formula?
No, based on our comprehensive review and confirmation from our ARA oil supplier, we do not identify any risks within the HiPP supply chain. Parents can therefore rest assured that our HiPP milk formula is safe to use.
Does HiPP use the ARA oil affected by the recall in its infant formula?
No, HiPP sources ARA exclusively from a European supplier unaffected by the recall. None of the raw materials in our supply chain are affected.
Where does HiPP source its ARA-rich oil?
HiPP sources its ARA exclusively from a European supplier unaffected by the current recalls. It does not come from China.
Who produces the ARA oil for HiPP?
Our ARA comes from a European supplier that is not involved in the current recalls.
Maintaining and protecting our carefully cultivated relationships with our suppliers is of the utmost importance to us, which is why we do not publish any information about them.
In which country is the ARA oil used by HiPP produced?
For reasons of supplier and manufacturer protection, we do not disclose exact locations. Please note that the recall does not affect our HiPP products, as we only use raw materials that have been tested in accordance with European safety standards.
How is ARA oil produced?
The oil is obtained by fermenting the Mortierella alpina fungus.
To achieve this, the fungus is cultivated in several stages under strictly controlled conditions. A specially adapted nutrient substrate and the correct temperature optimise the production of valuable fatty acids.
Once growth is complete, the oil rich in ARA is extracted from the fungal mass, purified, and made available for further processing.
How is the ARA oil checked for Bacillus cereus and cereulide?
Testing does not begin with the finished ARA oil, but much earlier in the process, during the cultivation of the fungus from which the oil will be extracted.
While the fungus is being cultivated, it is carefully monitored to ensure that no undesirable bacteria or germs are multiplying in the culture. This includes testing for Bacillus cereus, a bacterium found everywhere that can easily contaminate food or production facilities.
If Bacillus cereus is found in the fungus culture, the entire culture is discarded immediately. It is therefore not used for further processing.
As Bacillus cereus is not present, the toxin cereulide cannot develop.
This ensures that the finished ARA oil never comes into contact with the bacterium or its toxin.
Are there any checks for cereulide?
To ensure the safety of ARA oil, checks are carried out well before the production process begins to determine whether any undesirable bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, are present. The toxin cereulide can only develop in the presence of Bacillus cereus.
ARA oil is obtained from a special fungus. The fungal culture is regularly checked during growth to ensure that no harmful bacteria form. These checks specifically look for Bacillus cereus, as only this bacterium can produce cereulide.
If Bacillus cereus is detected, the entire fungal culture is discarded immediately.
This means that it does not enter further processing and therefore does not come into contact with the oil that will be produced later.
This means that by excluding Bacillus cereus at the preliminary stage of oil extraction, cereulide cannot develop. ARA oil is safe from the outset thanks to the checks carried out during production. For this reason, additional testing for cereulide is unnecessary.
Are HiPP foods tested for cereulide?
It is not necessary to test finished HiPP foods directly for the toxin cereulide.
HiPP eliminates the risk much earlier, during the production of ARA oil.
While the fungus used to produce the ARA oil is being cultivated, the culture is strictly monitored and tested specifically for Bacillus cereus. Only this bacterium can produce the toxin cereulide. If Bacillus cereus is found, the entire culture is discarded and not processed further.
Can cereulide be present in HiPP foods?
We rule out the possibility of Bacillus cereus entering or multiplying in the fermentation process through comprehensive hygiene measures and close monitoring.
This process is continuously monitored and fully documented. This ensures that the conditions for the formation of cereulide are never created in the first place.
This reliably rules out the possibility of cereulide entering the product via ARA oil, as is currently being discussed.
These measures guarantee that HiPP foods contain no cereulide.
Why is HiPP not affected by the recalls?
According to the latest information, the recalls issued by other manufacturers are based on indications that the ingredient ARA was contaminated during production. It is believed that the toxin cereulide entered the affected products during this process.
We can say the following about HiPP:
Our ARA oil production is fully monitored, from fermentation to the finished product. Throughout this process, we ensure that Bacillus cereus is not present. Without Bacillus cereus, cereulide cannot be produced.
We can rely on this controlled process.
Are there limit values for cereulide?
On 2 February 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published new scientific guidelines on the toxin cereulide. These guidelines included a newly defined acute reference dose (ARfD), which was a first for these guidelines. This established an official scientific basis for assessing cereulide.
HiPP welcomes this publication, as it provides greater clarity and transparency, supporting a uniform, scientifically sound approach to managing the risk of cereulide in infant formula throughout Europe.
Good to know:
HiPP products are safe.
Our consistently monitored supply chain, strict raw material controls, and robust process safety precautions ensure that all our products meet the highest quality and safety standards.

Further questions

Where do the ingredients in the milk formula come from?
HiPP stands for carefully and reliably tested raw materials. It is crucial to us that all of the ingredients we use meet our strict HiPP quality and safety standards, as well as European standards.
We use milk and milk components (such as whey and lactose) primarily from German cows, although some of the milk also comes from cows in neighbouring EU countries.
Our ARA comes from a European supplier that is not connected to the current recalls in any way. We also source the other ingredients in our HiPP milk formulas, such as macronutrients and micronutrients, from European suppliers.
We have worked closely and trustingly with many of these suppliers for many years. These long-term partnerships are an important part of our commitment to high quality standards. Maintaining and protecting these committed, long-term relationships is very important to us, which is why we do not publish any further information about our suppliers.
Which HiPP products contain ARA oil? Does this also apply to complementary foods?
Arachidonic acid-rich oil is only added to HiPP Pre, Stage 1 infant formula, and specialised formula HiPP Comfort and HiPP AR.
No ARA oil is used in any of our other HiPP products.

Summary

Can parents continue to use HiPP milk formula?
Yes. Parents can use HiPP milk formula without hesitation. Our products meet the highest quality and safety standards.
How does HiPP guarantee product safety and quality?
HiPP applies strict quality and safety standards.
HiPP ensures the desired quality right from the supply chain across all processes.
To this end, we have identified the appropriate test points based on decades of experience.
HiPP works closely with trusted suppliers who are all committed to this principle, and we support them in this endeavour.
Is HiPP milk formula suitable for infants and young children?
Yes. HiPP milk formula is safe and suitable for feeding infants and young children without any concerns and meets our long-standing standards of excellent quality.