South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued an urgent notice that a batch of Nestlé’s NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula that was sold in South Africa may contain the toxin Cereulide. Consumers have been urged to return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Recalls like this present a significant challenge for organisations and supply chains, SAPICS says, stressing that lives may depend on whether manufacturers, retailers and logistics service providers are recall ready. “Today’s food supply chains are vast, interconnected and more efficient than ever before. But they can also be vulnerable, with risk travelling around the world just as fast as the products. This incident underscores the crucial role of supply chain capability in protecting consumers and sustaining public trust in consumer goods sectors.”

A single non-compliant raw material sourced upstream can move seamlessly through international manufacturing and distribution networks, to land swiftly in consumers’ homes thousands of kilometres away. In this case, the issue with the baby formula was first detected at a factory in the Netherlands. It was then established that the contaminated raw material had been used at multiple production sites globally, and according to the NCC, a potentially contaminated batch was distributed through all major retailers and distributors across South Africa, as well as being exported to Namibia and Eswatini. This is reportedly the largest recall in Nestlé’s history, spanning 25 countries and involving over 800 products from more than 10 factories. The company’s global traceability systems will play a critical role in supporting the recall and enabling a targeted response, SAPICS notes.

The measure of a supply chain is not only how efficiently it performs in normal conditions and during forward logistics, but how responsibly and effectively it responds when consumer safety is at stake during a critical recall, SAPICS states. According to the organisation, reverse logistics is frequently underdeveloped because it does not directly generate revenue and is rarely exercised at scale. Yet in a recall scenario, it becomes the focal point of the entire operation. Products must be accurately identified by batch, rapidly traced through distribution networks, removed from shelves, returned by consumers, documented for regulatory compliance and managed in a way that protects both public health and brand integrity.

SAPICS explains that reverse logistics encompasses all activities required to move products back through the supply chain - from consumers, retailers and warehouses to manufacturers, testing facilities and safe disposal sites or remediation points. Without clear, tested reverse logistics plans, recalls can quickly become disorganised, costly, reputationally damaging and even life threatening.

In an era of global sourcing and heightened consumer awareness, recall readiness must be embedded into supply chain strategy, SAPICS says. This requires end-to-end supply chain visibility and traceability at batch and ingredient level. Clearly defined recall governance and decision-making structures are vital. Reverse logistics processes should be well-designed and understood across the supply chain.

Since supply chains today are complex, volatile and always evolving, recall plans should be tested and refined regularly through simulations and scenario planning. Skilled, knowledgeable, qualified supply chain professionals who understand both forward and reverse flows are essential.

Recognising the importance of reverse logistics, it is one of the topics that not-for-profit organisation SAPICS covers in its regular skills development and networking events, as well as at the annual SAPICS Conference, the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals. “Education is key to ensuring that supply chain professionals are equipped to deal with the increasing complexities of supply chain management and with rapid advances in technology,” the organisation says.

SAPICS has been working to elevate, educate and empower supply chain professionals in South Africa and across the continent since 1966. It provides Southern African supply chain practitioners with access to a range of internationally recognised certifications as well as high quality, impactful short courses. The SAPICS Conference is now in its 48th year. This year’s gathering - which takes place in Cape Town from 19 to 21 July 2026 - is a landmark one as it marks the industry body’s 60th anniversary. The event offers vital learning, networking and knowledge sharing opportunities for everyone involved in all the diverse aspects of supply chain management. Because the supply chain profession is dynamic and always evolving, it is essential for practitioners to keep updating and expanding their skills and knowledge, SAPICS concludes.