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Infant formula update

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye confirm that Nutricia has today narrowed the scope of the recall for infant formula.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries and Nutricia’s verification work has enabled the recall to be narrowed only to 900g cans manufactured between 21 May 2013 and 2 August 2013 inclusive,” Ms Kaye says.

The following 900g cans remain recalled:

  • Nutricia Karicare Stage 1 Infant Formula (0-6 months) – produced between 21 May – 2 August 2013
  • Nutricia Karicare Gold+ Stage 2 Follow-On Formula (from 6 months) – produced between 21 May – 2 August 2013

“If people still have 900g cans of the recalled product at home we recommend returning those back to where they were purchased to obtain a refund, however if they have a can outside the date range 21 May 2013 – 2 August 2013 I am advised they can be confident that product is not affected by potential contamination.”

People should check the production date on the base of the can.

 “No other Nutricia Karicare products are being recalled, all sachets and sticks are now excluded from the recall and may be used by parents and caregivers.”

“The Director-General has advised me that consumers can also be satisfied that all infant formula on sale has not been manufactured using the potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate and is therefore safe to purchase,” says Ms Kaye.

“It is important to reiterate that there have been no notifications of infant botulism up to this point,” Mr Ryall says.

“Plunket advises that calls to its helpline have reduced significantly and are now only slightly above average. Most callers are seeking advice on transitioning babies to other formulas,” Mr Ryall says.

“But if parents and caregivers have any concerns about the health of their infants, they should contact their GP or call Healthline or Plunketline.”

“Plunketline and Healthline nurses have answered many thousands of calls since Saturday, 3 August, and have done a fantastic job providing the necessary information to parents and caregivers,” Mr Ryall says.

“Finally, I am advised there are no current issues with regard to the availability of alternative products and I thank food and grocery industry members for their support in ensuring this on-going supply,” Ms Kaye says.

 

For more information:

http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/whey-protein-contamination-information-parents-and-health-advice

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/food/food-safety/whey-protein-contamination

http://www.plunket.org.nz/news-and-research/media-releases/infant-formula-recall/

or https://www.facebook.com/PlunketNZ

People can also get information and advice from Healthline 0800 611 116, Plunketline 0800 933 922, MPI’s consumer helpline 0800 693 721.

Dr Pat Tuohy, a paediatrician at the Ministry of Health has recorded a Youtube video for parents about infant botulism. It is available on the Health Ministry’s website.

Media contact for Minister Ryall: Jackie Maher 021 243 7803 or Jannel Carter 027 589 8884

Media contact for Minister Kaye: Cameron Gray 021 763 970

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