KUCHING, Feb 23: Ministry of Health (MOH) has cautioned parents not to use two types of Similac infant formula distributed by Abbott Laboratories – Alimentum and Human Milk Fortifier which have been recalled from the market due to potential microbial contamination.
The recall warning came following reports by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on the discovery of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella newport bacteria in the infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis of the United States.
According to a news report by CNN on Feb 20, four babies from Minnesota, Ohio and Texas have been hospitalised after falling ill from the bacterial infections which may have led to the death of one baby.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham said investigations by MOH through the Food Safety and Quality Division found that only two infant formula products were involved namely the Alimentum (400g) and Human Milk Fortifier (0.9g x 50 sachets).
The two products have an expiry date of April 1, 2022 or later. The affected formulas have a batch number that starts with the first two digits 22 through 37 on the codebar on the containers number K8, SH or Z2.
“MOH has also imposed auto-rejection of the two products at all entrances into the country.
“All merchants including those online who still have stock of the product must immediately stop selling the products and contact the nearest District Health Office,” he advised in a statement today.
MOH also urged parents and guardians to be on the alert and identify the batch code of the baby formula and stop using the affected products.
Those who have purchased the formula should monitor the health of the baby and immediately seek treatment if the baby has symptoms after consuming the baby formula.
Dr Noor Hisham explained that the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria is widely found in the environment and can survive in dry conditions such as in infant formula.
“Cronobacter infection can cause meningitis or sepsis. However, it is rare and the symptoms shown by the baby are like fever, no appetite or lethargy,” he said.
The MOH has also contacted Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd and confirmed that the company has initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of the affected products in the domestic market.
“They have also contacted all retailers, distributors and institutions that have purchased the affected formulas to stop the sales of the products,” he added.
Consumers who have any concerns regarding food safety issues, they can contact any District Health Office or the nearest State Health Department or visit MOH official website http://moh.spab.gov.my or Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/bkkmhq. — DayakDaily
