Powdered formula from Netherlands may be contaminated with Salmonella (with photo)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (July 19) urged parents not to let their toddlers consume a kind of powdered formula for young children manufactured in the Netherlands, which might contain Salmonella. The trade should also stop selling the product concerned.

"The CFS received notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission (EC) that a kind of dietary fibre (Galacto-oligosaccharide, GOS), produced in Korea, was detected with Salmonella by the Netherlands authorities," a CFS spokesman said.

"Investigation revealed that the dietary fibre had been supplied to the manufacturers of powdered formula for infants/young children in the Netherlands. The powdered formula they produced may, therefore, also be contaminated," he added.

Quoting the information provided by the EC, the spokesman said that one kind of powdered formula for young children, which might be affected, has been exported to Hong Kong. Details of the product concerned are as follows:

Product name: TwoBebes Growing up milk 3 (for children aged above 12 months)
Place of origin: Holland (The Netherlands)
Lot number: All batches
Net weight: 900g

"The CFS visited the offices of the importer for investigation and learnt that the retail outlets of the importer have stopped sale of the product concerned. The importer has also agreed to surrender all remaining stocks voluntarily for disposal," the spokesman said.

"Staff from the CFS have also conducted checks at other retail outlets in the market and, so far, found no affected product available for sale," he added.

The spokesman advised consumers who have bought the particular product, regardless of any batch, to stop consuming it. For enquiries about the recall, they may contact the importer, PrizeMart Limited, at 2406 8879. The trade should also stop selling the affected product.

People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product. So far the CFS has not received any reports of persons feeling sick after consuming the product or complaints about it.

"Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on people with lowered immunity such as infants and young children could be more severe and sometimes may even lead to death," the spokesman said.

"Caregivers should be aware that powdered formula for infants and young children is not a sterile product and can be contaminated with pathogens that can cause serious illness. Correct preparation and handling reduces the risk of illness. They should reconstitute milk powder with water not less than 70 degrees Celsius (water left for no more than 30 minutes after boiling) and then cool it down to a suitable temperature to feed infants and young children. Reconstituted milk should be consumed within two hours," he added.

The trade has been alerted to the incident. The CFS will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action, the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, July 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:05

The Centre for Food Safety today (July 19) urged parents not to let their toddlers consume TwoBebes Growing-up milk 3 (for children aged above 12 months), a kind of powdered formula for young children manufactured in the Netherlands, as it might have been contaminated with Salmonella. The trade should also stop selling the product concerned.