Producers ordered to report use of tainted whey protein
FDA ramps up inspections in wake of milk-powder scare
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday ordered all manufacturers of powdered milk to report by tomorrow whether they have used the whey protein concentrate produced by New Zealand-based Fonterra, which is suspected of containing Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can paralyse infants.
“If they used the whey protein produced by Fonterra, they must submit the test result for the safety and quality of the product to the FDA. If they don’t, we’ll confiscate their products,” said Dr Boonchai Somboonsook, secretary-general of the FDA.
On Sunday, Dumex Thailand, a maker of milk formula, recalled five of its products after Fonterra alerted it that one of its ingredients that had been supplied to Dumex had a potential contamination issue.
The FDA yesterday met for two hours with all makers of powdered milk and related products to issue them instructions on how to protect consumers from tainted milk products.
Boonchai said his agency would order provincial public health officers nationwide to remove the five Dumex milk products in question from shelves immediately.
Other products
The FDA will also look for C botulinum contamination in other products.
All manufacturers have also been advised to report whether they have used whey protein from other countries.
There are two forms of imported whey protein – concentrate and milk-based.
Fonterra has registered with the FDA the import of whey protein concentrate but during the past 10 years, none was imported from the company. But for milk-based whey protein has been mixed with milk products before being imported.
“That is why we cannot check the source of the raw material. If we want to know about the original source we have to check with the company that has mixed the milk product with whey protein,” Boonchai told a press conference.
Dr Prapat Sopanatorn, executive director of the Paediatric Nutrition Manufacturers Association, said its members, comprising seven powdered-milk makers, were ready to collaborate with the FDA to monitor and inspect the products.
The Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand has raised health concerns over the infantile botulism reportedly found in some imported powdered-milk products.
No Thai children have been affected. But the paediatricians warn that children under six months found suffering from constipation and breathing problems within three days after taking suspect powdered-milk products should undergo treatment immediately.
Dr Somsak Lohlekha, president of the Royal College of Paediatricians, said infantile botulism could result when a child ingests spores from C botulinum in powdered milk.
Severe symptoms can develop within three to 30 days, such as muscle weakness, paralysis, inability to raise the head, drooping eyelids, mydriasis (dilation of the pupil) and breathing problems in children aged under six months, as their intestines cannot digest the bacteria.
“They can be treated if parents take their kids to see a doctor as soon as possible,” he said.
The Royal College of Paediatricians has prepared guidelines for paediatricians to observe the suspected symptoms in children.
In the United States, 100 children have reportedly developed severe symptoms after eating honey tainted with infantile botulism.
