FDA Orders Recall Of Contaminated Infant Milk

[george]

FDA orders recall of contaminated infant milk

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the recall of infant powdered milk from retail outlets after some were found to have been contaminated and could cause illness to newborns.

Some powered milk formulas for infants on the domestic market inspected by the Department of Medical Sciences contained rod-shaped bacteria, called Enterobacter Sakazakii, the FDA's Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Narangsan Peerakit, told TNA on Friday.

Among the brands found to have been contaminated were Dumex Hi-Q, Enfalac DHA plus ARA, Enfalac and Alacta-NF.

Experts believe this microbe can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in newborns, underweight and premature babies.

Parents should not be too worried if their babies are not included in the at risk groups, said the doctor.

But if their babies showed any suspicious symptoms, parents should stop feeding them with the powdered milk and immediately seek medical attention, he warned.

The doctor also advised parents that they should only prepare the milk for one feeding at a time.

If the babies do not finish the milk within an hour, parents should dispose of it, he said.

Hygiene is very important in bottle feeding, Dr. Narangsan stressed.

All equipment, especially the bottles and teats, must be sterilised in boiling water for at least ten minutes.

--TNA 2005-07-01

[mnoorsapl]

well, breast milk is still the best.

[george]

FDA test sparks formula milk scare

BANGKOK: -- Triggering product recalls and consumer warnings, health authorities have found a bacterium in four infant formulas that causes rare, yet severe illnesses in babies.

Random tests by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC) detected the Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria, or E sakazakii, in Hi-Q Step 1, Enfalac, Alacta NF Step 1 and Enfalac DHA+ARA.

E sakazakii, causes rare but severe illness in babies up to one year old, resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea, said Dr Narongsant Peerakij, deputy secretary-general of the FDA.

The risk is particularly high in premature babies with low birth weights or weak immune systems.

“Parents with children outside the at-risk group need not worry, however, if an infant does experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, please stop whatever infant formula you use and take the child to see a doctor immediately,” Narongsant said.

Also, for safety reasons, the doctor said, parents should only prepare an amount of infant formula they can use up in an hour.

To keep prepared milk at room temperature or even in a refrigerator can allow E sakazakii, which is prevalent in the environment, to grow rapidly and become more virulent, Narongsant said.

Any surplus mixed infant formula, he said, should be discarded and the container cleaned with boiling water for at least ten minutes before being used again.

For more information, the FDA recommends that consumers call its hotline number 1556.

Dumex Limited, the importer and distributor of infant formula, is only recalling 700-gram and 1400g packets of Hi-Q Step 1 infant formula with the expiry date of September 18, 2006 and 200g tins with the expiry date of January 5 and 6, 2008. Consumers can call Dumex at (02) 740 3400 for free replacements and other information.

Mead Johnson Nutritionals, the maker of Enfalac, Alacta NF Step 1 and Enfalac DHA+ARA, said it was recalling one batch of each product.

For more information and product replacement, the company asks consumers to call (02) 725 1000 ext 1, or from upcountry toll free 1800 238 342.

--The Nation 2005-07-02