Parents are being warned to be vigilant about specific Nestlé baby formula batches - being recalled globally over possible toxins

It applies to five batches of Alfamino infant formula - for babies with milk allergies.

There's concerns they could contain cereulide - which can cause symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.

NZ Food Safety Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle says Nestle estimates 500 affected units are in New Zealand.

He says it's a specialist product for particular allergies, so it's prescribed and not sold at supermarkets.