New Mexico E. Sakazakii cases

New Mexico Department Of Health Advises Safe Way To Feed Infants - State, Feds Investigate Rare Infant Illness01 Dec 2008 As part of its investigation into a rare infection that can be associated with infant formula, the New Mexico Department of Health is advising people on the safest way to prepare formula. The Department of Health is investigating two cases of Enterobacter sakazakii illness, a rare cause of bloodstream and central nervous system infections, in a female infant from Lea County and a male infant from Otero County. The male infant has died, and the female infant is hospitalized. E. sakazakii can cause severe, invasive disease among infants and has been associated with powdered formula, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been about 120 cases recorded across the world in all age groups, but infants are at particular risk. Some proportion of powdered formulas that have been tested have contained E. sakazakii or other bacteria that can cause disease. The Department of Health is working with the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New Mexico Environment Department to try to determine what caused the babies to develop the infection. The Department of Health has interviewed families and conducted environmental and food testing. The Department expects test results to be available in about a week. Testing at the Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory in Albuquerque has determined that the two infants had different strains of the bacteria. Both babies did consume powdered formula in addition to other foods. In past investigations in other states, powdered infant formula contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii has been associated with infant illnesses. However, that association was not documented in many of the cases investigated. "We extend our sympathy to the family who is coping with a loss and the family whose baby is hospitalized," said Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil. "We encourage people to breast feed when possible, follow directions provided when preparing formula and always practice good hygiene by washing your hands often, especially before preparing formula and feeding a baby." The Department recommends the following advice for feeding infants-- The best option for your baby is to breastfeed if possible. -- Talk to your health-care provider before trying or changing to a new formula. -- Prepare a small amount of formula for each feeding to reduce the amount and time that formula is at room temperature before your baby drinks it. -- If you have prepared formula and your baby has not had any, throw the formula away within two hours of preparation. If your baby drank out of the bottle, throw away any leftover formula within one hour. -- Always wash your hands before preparing formula or any food for yourself or family members. -- Prepared formula in a refrigerator should be used within 24 hours.

FDA discovers trace amounts of melamine in infant formula.

The FDA's discovery of trace amounts of melamine in infant formula attracted significant attention in major US newspapers and on cable TV. The New York Times (11/26, A19, Martin) reports the discovery raises "the possibility that the problem was more extensive in the United States than previously thought." Although "few details were available late Tuesday, agency officials said they had discovered melamine at trace levels in a single sample of infant formula. It was also discovered in several samples of dietary supplements that are made by some of the same manufacturers who make formula." FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said, "There's no cause for concern or no risk from these levels." She "said the contamination was most likely the result of food contact with something like a can liner, or from some other manufacturing problems, but not from deliberate adulteration."
The Los Angeles Times /Bloomberg (11/26) reports, "Of 77 samples tested, only one was found to have melamine, said Leon, who declined to identify the product." The contamination was discovered "as part of an FDA testing program begun after the chemical was found in Chinese products. The amount of melamine in the US sample was 'well below' 250 parts per billion, Leon said." Leon said, "That is what is considered trace amounts. ... It has nothing to do with adulteration."
The Washington Post (11/26, Shin) in its "Check Out" blog cites the Bloomberg News story and points out, "Not sure how this jibes with the Food and Drug Administration's recent risk assessment which said it was 'unable to establish any level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula that does not raise public health concerns' but you be the judge!"
In an article published on the web sites of over 150 US media outlets the AP (11/26, Mendoza, Pritchard) reports FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition director Dr. Stephen Sundlof said, "The levels that we are detecting are extremely low. ... They should not be changing the diet." He "told the AP the positive test results 'so far are in the trace range, and from a public health or infant health perspective, we consider those to be perfectly fine.'" The AP notes, "That's different from the impression of zero tolerance the agency left on Oct. 3."
The Wall Street Journal (11/26, Zhang, Wang) reports, "Dr. Sundlof said the agency didn't find the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid in any infant formula sample. Together, the two substances cause kidney stones, among other illnesses, and sickened the Chinese infants." Despite the assurance of FDA officials "the findings are likely to upset parents who feed formula to their babies. But just how much is at stake for the manufacturers isn't certain." CNN (11/26) also reports the story.

Formula For Tragedy: Milk-Based Powdered Formula

The Chicago press has picked up on the E. Sak dilemma. Hopefully, this will lead to more coverage.

Formula For Tragedy: Milk-Based Powdered Formula
Powdered Baby Formula Could Be Dangerous For Some Infants
CHICAGO (CBS News) ― Connor McGray and his twin brother, Logan, were born prematurely on Nov. 16, 2007 at an Illinois hospital. Connor appeared to be the healthier of the two. It wasn't until their parents, Amanda Carlin and Tim McGray of Somonauk, Ill., received a call from a doctor at the hospital a week later saying the infant was lethargic and refusing to eat. Doctors discovered Connor had meningitis and "they basically told us, all we could do was pray," their parents recall. On May 3, 2008, their baby died at home. "He knows there's something missing," Amanda Carlin says of their surviving child, Logan, who turned 1 last week.Officials listed the cause of death as hydrocephalus and bacterial meningitis. The bacterial infection, according to a memo from the Illinois Department of Public Health, "may be associated with the consumption of a powdered breast milk fortifier." The Enfamil brand powdered formula was fed to the Connor during his time in the the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at Rush-Copley Medical Center. In a statement released on Nov. 13, 2008, Rush-Copley said: "We have the utmost compassion for the baby and his family." Hospital officials noted 4,000 babies are born at the facility each year and "the procedures followed here are consistent with the standards of care provided to prematurely born infants in the U.S." "There was nothing I could do. I felt helpless and part of me was gone forever," Carlin said. During an investigation by the CBS station in Chicago, research found Connor's death was not the only associated with the tainted baby formula claim. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the danger with powdered formula is that -- unlike the liquid kind -- it cannot be sterilized, which makes it vulnerable to bacteria growing in it, CBS station KTVT-TV reported.The most severe cases involve babies exposed to a bacteria called Enterobacter sakazakii, or E-sak. The CDC notes e-sak can lead to raging infections, severe brain damage and ultimately death, as in Connor McGray's case. The baby suffered from seizures and brain abscess. According to official health records, his blood and cerebral spinal fluid tested positive for the organism. Premature Infants or those with weak immune systems are at greatest risk of getting infections, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports. There is even a warning on powdered formula containers. One brand warns: "... powdered infant formulas are not sterile and should not be fed to premature infants or infants who might have immune problems unless directed and supervised by your baby's doctor." During the week before Connor's illness, a health department memo notes he was fed ready-to-feed liquid formula, as well as, breast milk with powdered infant fortifier. Hospital records show the powdered formula the hospital used was Enfamil by Mead Johnson. From Nov. 20 to Nov. 24, Connor was fed the product orally and through a nasogastric tube. The same health department report noted the product was prepared at the hospital in a prep area/station, not a dedicated formula preparation room. On Dec. 3, 2007, Connor was transferred from Rush-Copley to the University of Chicago because, Tim McGray said, the family wanted the twin boys together. Logan was being treated at the University of Chicago for an intestinal condition. His mother said the hospital did not tell her about the risks of powdered formula. She said she also didn't learn about her son being given the powder, until she hired The Collins Law firm in Naperville. "We didn't find out until afterward, when we got a hold of whatever medical records we could get," McGray adds. "That's the only way we knew." The CBS2 investigation also uncovered other cases in which powdered formula was blamed for causing brain damage or death in infants. There have been at least two Illinois cases and cases in at least 17 other states, including Texas. Ed Manzke, one of the attorneys hired in Connor McGray's case said it's not an isolated problem. "There have been deaths all across the country related to powder infant formulas. And what is so shocking about it, is hardly anyone knows it. It's like leaving a loaded gun in a nursery." A 2001 E-Sak outbreak in Tennessee led to a 2002 U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning to health professionals. In a letter the FDA wrote: "FDA recommends that powdered infant formulas not be used in neonatal intensive care settings unless there is no alternative available." FDA officials also said there are sterilized liquid fortifiers on the market that can be used as an alternative. The FDA stopped short of issuing a complete ban on the powder, but said it may be used in the NICU when no appropriate liquid product is available. Despite the warning, five years later Connor McGray was given the powdered formula. His family says he was getting stronger and doing well until he got the powder. Daniel Korte also was fed powdered infant formula and was struck with the same infection and meningitis. His parents said the contaminated formula was fed to him at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Daniel survived, but is living in a nursing facility on a ventilator. "It basically turned his brain to mush," said Michelle Korte, Daniel's mother. "He is ventilated and his upper brain is destroyed." Korte said the hospital in this case also never warned her about the risk associated with the formula. An attorney she hired, Andy Weisbecker, said powdered formula manufacturers need to do a better job of informing doctors and parents about the danger. "More needs to be done to increase the level of knowledge about this deadly bug," Weisbecker said. "Who knows how many parents are out there with affected children who may still not be aware of a possible connection between these illnesses and contaminated formula." Federal regulators believe the number of cases are underreported. There may be other infants diagnosed with meningitis that have not been checked for E-sak. "They pretty much just want to sweep it under the rug and it's not an issue you can just sweep under the rug. I mean it took a baby's life," Copley stresses. Babies are not just being sickened by formula in hospitals, however. Parents unknowingly are buying the powdered formula for at-risk babies. Stephen Meyer, an attorney at the Law Office of Nick Stein in Indiana, has spent nine years working on E-sak cases. He said the FDA's warning should have gone to consumers. "Most moms would think 'If it's marketed to me, it's safe' … especially if it comes in a hospital gift bag." Mead Johnson officials said its products are safe as long as they are used according to label directions. The company said it has "taken the position that powdered infant formula should not be used in neonatal intensive care settings unless no alternative is available." Tracey Noe, a spokesman for Abbott, which manufactures formula including Similac, said it uses rigorous testing procedures, including bacterial testing, on its powdered formulas. "Abbott agrees with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joint recommendation that powdered formula should not be used in hospital neonatal intensive care units — unless no nutritionally suitable alternative is available," Noe responded. Both manufacturers have been sued by families who say they were affected by the tainted formula. The parents of Connor McGray and Daniel Korte also are planning to file lawsuits. In the meantime, they are talking about what happened in hopes of warning — and educating — doctors, hospital staff and other parents about the potential danger of powdered formula. "I want other people to be aware of it so they don't have to go through what I did," Amanda Carlin said.

Source:http://cbs4.com/health/tainted.baby.formula.2.871279.html

Aussie baby formula contaminated: China

The Australian manufacturers of a baby milk formula and a milk powder rejected by Chinese authorities say their products are safe.
Nine tonnes of Ausnutria products, manufactured by Australian dairy supplier Tatura, have tested positive to a potentially deadly bacterium.
China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) claim the products contained Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause fatal infections in infants.
Tatura said they were surprised by CIQ's findings.
"Other products, produced at the same time but sent on different shipments were cleared," Tatura spokesman Tony McKenna said.
Mr McKenna said Tatura would not change its testing standards which it claims are "state of the art".
The northern Victorian company maintains the discrepancy was due to the sensitivity of the tests, as well as the equipment and techniques used.
The Tatura products were rejected in June but only reported in the media this week.
Mr McKenna said the timing was disappointing but "not malicious".
"It's a hot topic and the press got a hold of it," he said.
He said Tatura's product was not linked to the recent scandal in which the industrial chemical melamine was discovered in milk made by 22 Chinese companies and then in eggs.
That tainted milk has killed four infants, while at least 53,000 have fallen ill.
"The fact is, we make different formula," he said.
Tatura said Ausnutria, the company exporting the product, remained confident with their testing standards.
Some 891 tonnes of Tatura products had been exported to China in the past year without incident, the company said.
Mr McKenna welcomed CIQ's decision to issue a public statement, assuring consumers products on the shelves were safe.
But Mr McKenna said the process should be changed to improve transparency.
"We don't get the results. You can't negotiate, you can't fight it, it just gets turned around (at the border)."
Tatura said it would be working with the Australian government to improve transparency in China's border control.
Chinese media has reported that more than 2,700 batches of tainted imported food and cosmetics had been rejected in the first seven months of the year.
Meanwhile, Brisbane-based milk producer Parmalat says it has not been informed by Chinese officials of problems with a batch of its products.
A Chinese government website has listed more than 14 tonnes of Parmalat's Pauls brand milk powder as having failed a bacteria standard in July.
A Parmalat spokesman told AAP it was only aware of the incident through media reports.
"Parmalat has not been informed of any problems with any products from any Chinese authorities," the spokesman said.
"We are keen to assist in any way to clarify the issue but it is unusual that the issue has only just been raised now and only through the media.
"All Parmalat products are subject to stringent quality standards, passing quality inspections in Australia prior to export."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5130756/australian-firm-says-baby-formula-safe/

Australian baby formula in China “safe” says company

This is another case of E. Sak contamination that has been linked to the Chinese milk product issues from earlier this year. It is likely that the ramifications from the Chinese failures will be felt worldwide, and for some time. Yet more reason for concern. Below is the story:

The Australian manufacturers of a baby milk formula and a milk powder rejected by Chinese authorities say their products are safe.
Nine tonnes of Ausnutria products, manufactured by Australian dairy supplier Tatura, have tested positive to a potentially deadly bacterium.
China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) claim the products contained Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause fatal infections in infants.
Tatura said they were surprised by CIQ’s findings.
“Other products, produced at the same time but sent on different shipments were cleared,” Tatura spokesman Tony McKenna said.
Mr McKenna said Tatura would not change its testing standards which it claims are “state of the art”.
The northern Victorian company maintains the discrepancy was due to the sensitivity of the tests, as well as the equipment and techniques used.
The Tatura products were rejected in June but only reported in the media this week.
Mr McKenna said the timing was disappointing but “not malicious”.
“It’s a hot topic and the press got a hold of it,” he said.
He said Tatura’s product was not linked to the recent scandal in which the industrial chemical melamine was discovered in milk made by 22 Chinese companies and then in eggs.
That tainted milk has killed four infants, while at least 53,000 have fallen ill.
“The fact is, we make different formula,” he said.
Tatura said Ausnutria, the company exporting the product, remained confident with their testing standards.
Some 891 tonnes of Tatura products had been exported to China in the past year without incident, the company said.
Mr McKenna welcomed CIQ’s decision to issue a public statement, assuring consumers products on the shelves were safe.
But Mr McKenna said the process should be changed to improve transparency.
“We don’t get the results. You can’t negotiate, you can’t fight it, it just gets turned around (at the border).”
Tatura said it would be working with the Australian government to improve transparency in China’s border control.
Chinese media has reported that more than 2,700 batches of tainted imported food and cosmetics had been rejected in the first seven months of the year.
Meanwhile, Brisbane-based milk producer Parmalat says it has not been informed by Chinese officials of problems with a batch of its products.
A Chinese government website has listed more than 14 tonnes of Parmalat’s Pauls brand milk powder as having failed a bacteria standard in July.
A Parmalat spokesman told AAP it was only aware of the incident through media reports.
“Parmalat has not been informed of any problems with any products from any Chinese authorities,” the spokesman said.
“We are keen to assist in any way to clarify the issue but it is unusual that the issue has only just been raised now and only through the media.
“All Parmalat products are subject to stringent quality standards, passing quality inspections in Australia prior to export.”

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=2&ContentID=106957

We Must Be Cautious About Imported Foods
New Vision (Kampala)NEWS7 October 2008 Posted to the web 8 October 2008 By Catherine RuhwezaKampala


THE massive poisoning of formula milk in China with melamine, an industrial chemical used in manufacturing plastics, is one of the ugliest faces of human greed.
Melamine makes low-quality food look better than it is. It was being poured into weak or watered-down milk supplies before it was collected or turned into powder.
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Although not a notorious poison, Melamine has been found to cause urinary problems, gallstones and kidney failure.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) stated in The New Vision that Uganda does not import any formula milk from China. I was relieved to know this but at the same time disappointed that UNBS did not find this important communication that touches the lives of thousands of children to warrant at least half a page advertisement in the newspapers to inform parents more about tainted milk and what to watch out for.
I believe mothers want to know more about how safe the milk their babies are consuming is and whether manufacturers and exporters are monitored regularly.
The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), a watchdog which monitors breastfeeding and infant feeding habits, recently released a global recall list for 2007-2008 in which a number of reputable brands were recalled due to inconsistencies in some of their milk batches. Some were found to have irregular mixtures of minerals like zinc, copper and bacteria, while others were damaged during transportation.
Recalled foods include a popular baby food from Uganda, which was tested by the UK Food Standards Agency and found to be contaminated with Enterobacter Sakazakii bacteria. The Food and Safety Agency warned parents not to buy it.
These discoveries show that baby food is risky. Any communication regarding anomalies must be communicated loudly and regularly. Contaminated baby food is as dangerous as the six killer diseases against which children are immunised.
Last year, China's manufacturing reputation came under attack when European consumers discovered that exported children's toys were contaminated with lead. Lead is a poisonous metal and can cause brain damage, hamper brain growth and cause erratic behaviour. No communication has been made in Uganda regarding this issue.
We have thousands of toys from China in our supermarkets and shops. It would not be a surprise if the lead load in the toys was more than that in toys sold in Europe. Chinese exporters know our market is more accommodating to sub-standard goods.
Parents have a responsibility to report any suspicious children's product to the UNBS. Parents rarely read labels on products they buy like nutritional listings, expiry dates, preservatives used and country of origin.
With support from UNICEF, Mama Tendo Foundation carried out a survey last year regarding breastfeeding and infant child feeding practices. We found out that parents cared more about the brand than the information about the contents of the product.
The way forward is to involve all stakeholders such as the Government, parents and employers. The working mother, who is the biggest consumer of Formula and other imported baby foods, needs to be helped to breastfeed her baby longer.
Working mothers can also get a room and a fridge at the workplace where they can press their breasts and keep the milk for their babies left at home. This may cost the company less than a-quarter of the budget for the Christmas or end of year party. This should be part of every company's community social responsibility.
We should all play our part so that when time comes, we hand over the country to the next generation with a clean conscience and without fear that generation will suffer from kidney failure, mental complications and other diseases before the age 20 because we were not vigilant enough to protect them.
The writer is a mother of two and CEO of the Mama Tendo Foundation

Source URL:http://allafrica.com/stories/200810080094.html

Published on The Jakarta Post (http://www.thejakartapost.com)
Commentary: Breast is best: The one milk sure to be clean and healthy-->-->
Emmy Fitri , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Fri, 09/26/2008 10:56 AM Headlines

Our hearts go out to the babies in China who have died from or been made ill by the prolonged consumption of tainted formula milk. Likewise our deepest sympathy for the moms and dads who must deal with the unbearable losses and blows.
What happened in China is perhaps one of the most harrowing such dramas the world has ever seen: Thousands of children, mostly under two years old, have fallen ill with kidney problems with four deaths already blamed on the toxic milk.
The sheer magnitude of the tainted formula milk powder scandal puts it beyond past rackets China has had with toxic chemicals lacing goods from toys to candies, which have contributed to shaky global trust in China's products, which are everywhere, sprawling across supermarket shelves and stalls in traditional markets.
At home, apart from the China-related products, Indonesia too has seen several -- and repeated -- cases of toxic food, such as the use of formaldehyde, dyes and sodium borate in processed meat products, and even the sale of rotten meat. Although those cases upset the public and slowed down business for mostly medium to small traders, the scandals did not last long, as people would gradually forget about them when the television stopped airing the news and newspapers were thrown into garbage bins.
But take a quick trip back to February this year, when a scientific paper published by researchers from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture aroused public anxiety because it revealed that several brands of formula milk and baby food were contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, a dangerous bacteria that attacks the brain and digestion system and in severe cases can lead to death.
The Health Ministry protested against the disclosure for unknown reasons; the one thing that was clear was that the ministry was not pleased with the researchers for announcing such sensitive findings to the public without consulting with the ministry first.
In a defiant response, the ministry ordered the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) to open an investigation into the matter. The end result was predictable: No infant milk products -- those named by the researchers -- were found to be contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, which, by the way, pediatricians say does not harm healthy babies.
The conflicting announcements by the leading agriculture institute and the government brought about nothing but public confusion. Whether or not the government and the researchers were doing the right thing, in relation to the case of alleged bacteria-tainted formula milk, it is all passe.
The government's nonchalant reaction to the announcement, however, did lead to a suspicion the government was standing by the companies that produce formula milk.
And now what lesson should Indonesian parents -- and more importantly the government -- learn from the painful blow China has been dealt? Or are there any lessons to learn at all?
The BPOM recently announced it has ordered the withdrawal of Chinese-made dairy products from the shelves on suspicion of melamine contamination. A laboratory investigation is, hopefully, underway and the public can relax once the findings are announced. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
That is the most reasonable way to respond, but even better would be for parents to return to best practice, a legacy from our ancestors. Our babies are not born to cows. They should not be fed cow's milk, especially when it's mixed with toxic chemicals.
And if the government has the courage to maintain its stance on the health sector, which could see it fall out of favor with the big corporate formula milk producers, they should seize the moment to endorse the best feeding practices -- including breast-feeding.
International Breastfeeding Week was in August. In Indonesia, with nearly 45 percent of its population living under the poverty line, breast-feeding babies is often the sole option.
Studies have shown that breast milk saves lives and is the best gift a mother could ever give to her children (which doesn't mean we are to blame mothers who can't breast-feed their babies for health reasons).
Breast-feeding is good because of its guaranteed cleanliness, and even babies from poor families, who run the risk of being undernourished or suffering from malnutrition, can enjoy healthy growth if they are breast-fed.
To breast-feed or not to breast-feed should not be the question anymore. It is only breast-feed.
Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.
Source URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/26/commentary-breast-best-the-one-milk-sure-be-clean-and-healthy.html

Enterobacter Sakazakii reported in Chinese milk products

San Lu milk powder has lethal bacteria
4:00AM Friday Sep 26, 2008By Lincoln Tan
EU bans Chinese milk products
San Lu, part-owned by Fonterra, has been dealt a further blow with reports that lethal bacteria have been found in some of its milk powder.
Fonterra, which owns 43 per cent of San Lu, said it was not aware of the development, which follows an international scandal over baby deaths from the toxic chemical melamine.
"We are not aware of it. We are looking into the accuracy of it," a Fonterra spokeswoman said.
The Gansu Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision in northwest China issued an emergency notice saying San Lu's formulas for older babies contained enterobacter sakazakii as well as melamine, the Lanzhou Morning Post reported.
Described as lethal, enterobacter sakazakii can cause meningitis or severe gut infections and is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a key pathogen that leads to infant mortality.
The newspaper said it was not yet known how or when the bacteria entered the San Lu formula, but there had been no reports of sickness or deaths.
Last night it was also reported that two baby orangutans and a lion cub at the Hangzhou Safari Park near Shanghai had kidney stones after being fed milk powder for more than a year.
The Chinese Government has taken over control of San Lu and shut down its operations. According to a Cabinet investigation, the company had received complaints about its infant formula as early as December but did not alert officials until August 2.
Nitrogen-rich melamine was added to watered-down milk to fool quality checks which often use nitrogen levels to measure the amount of protein in milk.
Melamine has been found in at least two food items here, but the New Zealand Food Safety Authority says there will not be an import ban of dairy products from China. It also said there would be no recall of White Rabbit Creamy Candy, which it tested and found to contain "unacceptable levels" of melamine.
South Korea yesterday joined more than a dozen countries that have banned the import of all products containing Chinese powdered milk after discovering the chemical in some snacks, and the decision not to do the same here has been slammed by the Consumer NZ and Green Party.
China's tainted-milk scandal has killed four babies and made 54,000 ill. "This is not an issue that should be treated lightly," said Green Party health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley. "People's health may be at risk and tip-toeing around the issue in Chinese style is not what is called for."
The US Food and Drug Administration says the tolerable daily intake of melamine is 0.63mg a kg of body weight. This means an adult weighing 60kg can ingest 37.8mg of melamine - or 47 White Rabbit candies - daily without any appreciable health risk.

Infant Formula Cans Lined With Toxic Chemical BPA

(NaturalNews)--David Gutierrez

An investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found that nearly all infant formulas are packaged in containers that contain the dangerous toxin bisphenol A.The EWG surveyed the top five manufacturers of baby formulas sold in the United States about the packaging of their containers. All five, including the makers of Nestle, Similac, Enfamil and PBM formulas, acknowledged the use of bisphenol A in the lining of metal liquid formula containers. Among makers of powdered formulas, four of the five top manufacturers also admitted to using bisphenol A to line metal portions of containers.Nestle denied using bisphenol A in the containers of powdered formula, but the EWG notes that the company "failed to provide EWG with reliable documentation of their alternative packaging, and thus is not a clear improvement over other types."In addition, the EWG expressed reservations over endorsing Nestle products due to the company's history of unethical infant formula marketing practices in Third World countries.Bisphenol A is widely used to make plastics hard and translucent and to line metal cans. It is known to disrupt the hormonal system of vertebrates, causing reproductive and developmental defects, including brain damage and neurobehavioral problems. It is considered particularly dangerous to developing animals, such as humans exposed during fetal development or in early childhood.Recent studies have also shown that bisphenol A exposure during development can lead to cancer later in life, and that it may be linked to obesity.Two separate National Institutes of Health panels have expressed concern over the chemical. A panel of 38 bisphenol A experts recently concluded that average levels of the chemical in humans are higher than those that have been known to cause harm in animal experiments.Recent publicity about the presence of bisphenol A has caused an increase in the popularity of glass baby bottles, but the EWG warns that the liquid formula itself is probably more dangerous."Testing by EWG and by the FDA indicates that under normal use, liquid formula itself could expose an infant to substantially more BPA than a plastic bottle," the organization said.According to EWG calculations, one in every 16 liquid-formula-fed children is exposed to higher doses of bisphenol A than have been shown to cause harm in laboratory studies. In contrast, powdered formula exposes children to anywhere from 8 to 20 times less of the chemical.Because any exposure is considered dangerous, the EWG emphasized that breast feeding is the most healthy choice."Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies," the group said. "It contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies' bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals." "However, there are many reasons why families rely on formula for some or all of their baby's diet," the group added. For this reason, "formula should be manufactured in a way that avoids contamination with harmful chemicals."For parents who must feed their children from formula, the EWG recommends a few steps to reduce bisphenol A exposure. In addition to choosing powdered formula, parents can select the brands that are packaged with the least metal."Powdered formula sold by Enfamil and Similac are reduced-risk choices, because only the metal tops and bottoms of their packages – not the cardboard sides – are metal and lined with BPA-based plastic," the organization said.Ironically, Earth's Best Organic is sold in an entirely metal can, and the whole surface is lined with bisphenol A.For those who must use liquid formulas, EWG recommends formulas sold in plastic containers. Among liquid formulas sold in metal containers, the ready-to-eat are the most dangerous. In contrast, formulas that must be diluted with water will supply a lower dose of bisphenol A.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/z023544.html

United Nations acts on infant formula standards

Find the article here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-07-02-un-food_N.htm

CDC Report Finds Hospitals Do Not Do Enough To Promote Breastfeeding

CDC on Thursday released its first-ever survey of breastfeeding practices at hospitals and birthing centers nationwide, which found that practices "unfriendly" to breastfeeding were common throughout the country, the AP/Google.com reports (Stobbe, AP/Google.com, 6/12). According to CQ HealthBeat, CDC endorses breastfeeding as a practice that provides optimal nutrition for infants and reduces the risk for infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.The study, published in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, analyzes responses from a 2007 survey of 2,690 hospitals and birthing centers. CDC found that a substantial proportion engage in practices that interfere with successful breastfeeding, including limiting the duration of suckling and giving pacifiers to more than half of healthy, full-term breastfed infants. The survey also found that 70% of hospital and birthing centers provided women with infant formula samples upon leaving the hospital (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 6/12). In addition, about one-quarter of hospitals surveyed reported giving formula or some other supplement to more than half of healthy, full-term infants. Deborah Dee, a CDC epidemiologist and co-author of the report, said the practice is common even when mothers are able and willing to breastfeed.The study gave each facility a score of 0 to 100 for its breastfeeding practices. The average score was 63. According to the survey, states in New England and on the West Coast ranked the highest, and Southern states ranked the lowest. Vermont and New Hampshire topped the list, while Arkansas was at the bottom (AP/Google.com, 6/12). The study gave facilities scores on seven aspects of maternity care -- labor and delivery; breastfeeding assistance; mother-infant contact; postpartum feeding; breastfeeding support after hospital discharge; nurse and birth attendant training and education; and structural and organizational quality (CDC release, 6/12). CDC did not release scores for individual facilities (AP/Google.com, 6/12). The scores will be distributed to the facilities next month, and aggregate data will be shared with state health departments, the report said (CQ HealthBeat, 6/12).HHS' Healthy People 2010 objectives call for 75% of new mothers to initiate breastfeeding, 50% to continue for six months and 25% to continue for one year. The initiative also aims to have 40% of mothers breastfeed exclusively for three months and 17% to breastfeed exclusively for six months (CDC release, 6/12). Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington state are the only states that meet the guidelines, according to the report (CQ HealthBeat, 6/12). CommentsCDC's Dee said that the survey results are disappointing and that there is "a lot of room for improvement" (AP/Google.com, 6/12). Laurence Grummer-Strawn, chief of the nutrition branch of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, said, "These findings underscore the importance of improving the way hospitals and birth centers provide assistance, encouragement and support for breastfeeding," adding, "We have a great deal of work to do to accomplish our national objectives related to breastfeeding, and birth facilities can make a huge contribution to this effort" (CDC release, 6/12).Cynthia Turner-Maffei, national coordinator for the Massachusetts-based Baby Friendly USA, said that she does not believe hospitals deliberately discourage breastfeeding but that "the formula industry is really deeply ingrained in our hospitals. People are being trained now to think about the pharmaceutical industry and their influence. They're not looking at formula companies in the same way" (May, Salt Lake Tribune, 6/13). Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. © 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111330.php
Main News Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Appears In: Pediatrics / Children's Health, Nutrition / Diet,

More evidence that Americans are unaware of the danger of powdered infant formula

As the following article shows, many Americans are still in the dark as to the dangers of feeding infants powdered formulas.

A new national study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security finds that, in spite of a number of food safety incidents in recent years, most Americans remain confident that the food produced in the United States is safe. However, many have concerns about the safety of imported food produced in some other countries. They also do not have high levels of confidence in parts of the U.S. food safety system and some of the organizations involved. The poll found that a majority of Americans believe that the food produced in the U.S. is either very (37%) or somewhat (58%) safe. Only 4% thought US-produced foods were unsafe. When asked about foods available in the U.S. but produced in other countries, fewer than one in ten (6%) considered foods from Canada to be unsafe. In contrast, almost half of Americans (47%) thought food from Mexico was unsafe, and 56% thought this about food from China. Possibly responding to these concerns, about half (53%) of Americans reported at least sometimes looking for information about what countries foods come from when shopping for groceries. Although most American see U.S.-produced food as relatively safe, they do have some reservations about the groups involved in food production and provision. Majorities have only some or very little confidence in meat producers (58%) or restaurants (55%) to keep food safe, while substantial minorities say this about grocery stores (41%) and fruit and vegetable growers (39%).

In addition, Americans have some concerns about the government food inspection system: 52% have only some or very little confidence in the inspection system to keep food safe. "With growing globalization of the food supply, Americans are likely to worry more about the safety of the food they eat. At the moment, many are not confident that the system for protecting their food is working as well as it should," said Robert J. Blendon, professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health. Full topline results and Powerpoint charts are available online. Over a third of Americans (38%) worry about getting ill from the food they eat. Concern was greater among certain groups: Hispanics (55%) and African-Americans (46%) were more likely than whites (32%) to be worried, and women (45%) were more likely than men (30%). The poll also found high levels of awareness of the major food recalls that have occurred in recent years. Nine in ten Americans had heard about food being recalled in the last two years.* About eight in ten (82%) specifically remember the ground beef recall, 74% the spinach recall, and 55% the peanut butter recall. Of those who remembered at least one of these recalls, eight in ten (80%) avoided eating the food involved in the recall, about half (52%) contacted relatives or friends to make sure they knew about the recall, and 39% searched for further information about the recall. In addition to protecting themselves during food recalls, Americans take action to protect themselves from potentially unsafe food when eating out. Of the 59% of Americans who ever read restaurant inspection notices in their local newspapers, 88% reported they avoid those restaurants that have been cited for violations. At home, a majority of Americans (86%) attempt to reduce the risk from food-borne illness by often washing fruits and vegetables.

The poll, conducted before the recent FDA warning about the salmonella threat posed by some fresh tomatoes, found that a substantial proportion of Americans know what salmonella is and worry about it. About six in ten (62%) reported that they knew what salmonella was, and almost four in ten (37%) were worried that they or a family member might become ill from it in the next year. African-Americans (43%) and Hispanics (45%) were more likely than whites (32%) to be worried. Women (40%) were more likely to be worried than men (33%). "Even before the FDA issued the recent warning about fresh tomatoes contaminated with salmonella, a large number of Americans knew about the threat of salmonella to food safety and were specifically worried about it," said Blendon. "This indicates that the recent outbreak is likely to be of serious concern to many people." In addition, large numbers reported knowing about other specific types of food-borne illness: 62% said they knew what E. coli was, 58% mad cow, and 47% botulism. Almost four in ten (37%) were worried that they or a family member might become ill from E. coli in the next year, 27% about mad cow disease, and 20% about botulism. There was some confusion over the role that cooking food might play in protecting people from becoming sick from food-borne illnesses. While majorities knew that cooking food thoroughly would protect against salmonella (68%) and E. coli (61%), 41% of respondents incorrectly believed that cooking could protect against botulism, and a third that cooking could protect against mad cow (32%). Some aspects of the food system are perceived by Americans to be less safe than others. When asked about some of the places where they might get their food, strong majorities of Americans considered food to be at least somewhat risky if it came from street vendors and pushcarts (88%), buffet restaurants (76%), salad bars (74%) or fast food restaurants (72%), while food from school cafeterias (48%), home kitchens (44%), or farmer's markets (44%) were considered risky by the lowest number of Americans. As for particular foods that might pose safety concerns, those perceived by the largest numbers to be at least somewhat risky were raw fish or sushi (82%) and hamburgers cooked rare or medium rare (80%), while those perceived by the lowest numbers to be risky were raw fruits and vegetables (36%), bean or alfalfa sprouts (36%), milk and cheese products (35%), and infant formula (35%). "For many Americans, the outbreak of salmonella from tomatoes will be regarded as an unusual threat, because they generally do not see eating fruits and vegetables as risky," said Blendon.

-Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.----------------------------

Methodology This is the 27th in a series of studies by the Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security. The study was designed and analyzed by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The project director is Robert J. Blendon of the Harvard School of Public Health. The research team also includes Kathleen J. Weldon, John M. Benson, and Tami Buhr of the Harvard School of Public Health, and Melissa J. Herrmann of ICR/International Communications Research. Fieldwork was conducted via telephone for the Project by ICR/International Communications Research of Media (PA) between May 12 and June 1, 2008. The survey was conducted with a representative national sample of 1,509 adults age 18 and over, including oversamples of African Americans and Hispanics. Altogether 227 African Americans and 224 Hispanics were interviewed. In the overall results, these groups were weighted to their actual proportion of the total adult population. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Possible sources of non-sampling error include non-response bias, as well as question wording and ordering effects. Non-response in telephone surveys produces some known biases in survey-derived estimates because participation tends to vary for different subgroups of the population. To compensate for these known biases, sample data are weighted to the most recent Census data available from the Current Population Survey for gender, age, race, education, region, and number of adults in the household. Other techniques, including random-digit dialing, replicate subsamples, callbacks staggered over times of day and days of the week, and systematic respondent selection within households, are used to ensure that the sample is representative. The Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security is funded by a grant from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), which receives support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HSPH provides ASTHO and the CDC with technical assistance for public health communication by monitoring the response of the general public to public health threats. *This poll was conducted before the recent FDA warning regarding tomatoes. Source:

Robin Herman Harvard School of Public Health


Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111093.php

Putting a lid on food safety concerns

It was shocking enough that a mouse head was found in a bag of shrimp-flavored snacks known as “Saeukkang” and the blade of a knife was discovered in a can of tuna. However, now, corn flower and instant boiled rice have been found to have been contaminated by mold. Citizens are naturally becoming enraged at the fact that they can’t trust the nation’s food products.
Last year, a disturbance arose when green tea, the nation’s representative “well-being” product, was found to contain agricultural chemicals. In 2006, a dairy industry giant recalled all of its products after one of them was found to contain Enterobacter sakazakii, which is known to be the cause of an infection with high infant fatality rates. Such health and safety accidents have occurred repeatedly because food manufacturers have little regard for the health and safety of consumers and the national agency in charge of managing and supervising the food industryhasn’t changed its lukewarm attitude toward the issue.
Nongshim Co., the producer of “Saeukkang,” did not take action for a month, even though the giant food company knew that the suspicious substance, presumed to be a part of a rodent, was found in the snack Koreans have loved for the past few decades. Nongshim attempted to put a lid on the matter by offering three boxes of instant noodles and 500,000 won in compensation to the citizen who informed the company of the problem. When a consumer informed Dongwon F&B that a can of tuna contained a knife blade, the company also tried to mitigate the situation by giving the citizen a set of its products. These businesses tried to settle the cases quickly, neglecting their responsibility to the nation’s health. Considering the reactions of these large conglomerates, it is worrisome to think about how other companies will respond when similar problems arise.
In the case of Nongshim, in particular, consumers have continued to complain about the poor quality of its products since the company began manufacturing its goods in China as a way to reduce costs. It has been said that a large number of cases involving questionable foods produced by Nongshim have been reported to the Consumers Union of Korea. However, the company neither looked into the cause of such incidents, nor took due measures to prevent future occurrences. The Korea Food and Drug Administration has neglected its duty to ensure food safety and the public’s health.
In advanced countries, such as the United States and Japan, it would be unimaginable for a company to attempt to quell problems with contaminated food by offering free products to the people who filed complaints against them. In those nations, companies whose products are found to contain harmful or dangerous substances are governed by strict laws and sometimes collapse because they lose consumer confidence. Therefore, businesses in advanced nations must ensure food safety and the quality of their products. They must also be proactive in dealing with situations when problems arise. South Korea food companies should have similar standards for responsibility and be equipped with crisis management systems.
The nation’s public health authorities should strengthen their management and supervisory functions and create a system under which food makers are required to inform them about consumer complaints. Concerned institutions and organizations should help to protect consumer rights by monitoring these companies so that companies trying to silence consumer complaints about potentially dangerous or substandard food products can’t get a toehold in the industry

Source:http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/277656.html

Produce Safety and Security International Replys To FDA Food Protection Plan With A Cost Effective Solution For Protecting The Nations Food Supply

Produce Safety and Security International Replys To FDA Food Protection Plan With A Cost Effective Solution For Protecting The Nations Food Supply

Lewisville, TX - (WORLD STOCK WIRE) - April 7, 2008 -- Produce Safety and Security International, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRSF) today announces the company provides a cost effective integrated strategy for protecting the nations food supply. November 2007 Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration "Americans enjoy unprecedented choice and convenience in filling the cupboard today, but we also face new challenges to ensuring that our food is safe. This Food Protection Plan will implement a strategy of prevention, intervention and response to build safety into every step of the food supply chain," stated Michael O. Leavitt Secretary of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

New threats, new food-borne pathogens symptoms of food-borne illness range from mild stomach discomfort to life threatening neurologic, liver, and kidney syndromes. In 1999, the CDC estimated that there were around 76 million cases per year of illness from food-borne agents, with 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. This data does not identify exactly how many are spread via foods (as opposed to person-to-person contact or by some other means) nor do they indicate how the food became contaminated. However, we know that the most severe cases tend to occur in people who are very young, very old, or who have compromised immune systems.

Food-borne illnesses are caused by more than 200 different food-borne pathogens (agents that can cause illness) of which we are currently aware. These include viruses, bacteria, parasites, and toxins, plus a vast number of potential chemical contaminants and metals. The variety of agents associated with food-borne illness has steadily grown over the last few decades, and there is every probability that this list will continue to increase.

One example of a newer food-borne pathogen is enterobacter sakazakii, which can cause serious illness such as sepsis (blood infection) and meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord). In 2002, FDA, working with CDC, discovered and subsequently alerted health care professionals to clusters of E. sakazakii infections reported in a variety of locations among hospitalized newborns, particularly premature or other immuno-compromised infants who were fed powdered infant formulas.

The emergence of new food-borne pathogens requires updated technologies that can detect the presence of new agents in a variety of foods. Addressing these emerging hazards requires cooperation among industry, academia, and government to share information and establish testing protocols. “Produce Safety and Security has provided the FDA, USDA and Congress a common sense approach that provides a cost effective removal of pathogens on numerous occasions. I have some major concerns why Congress, FDA and USDA did not respond to any of the recommended solutions. It does not make any sense for innocent people to contact the above mentioned food-borne illness causing death and illness when a solution reducing and eliminating these issues is approved by the FDA in 2001. It is wonderful to tell the population how the governmental agencies are protecting the USA food supply. However, they provide the number of illness and deaths listed above,” stated Clarence W. Karney, CEO of Produce Safety & Security International Inc.About Produce Safety and Security International, Inc.:Produce Safety has developed priority processes for extending the shelf life of perishables. The EPA-registered products sanitize and disinfect against food-borne illness pathogens and disease-causing bacteria. This process will provide retail produce departments with reduced shrinkage, increase the bottom line and provide a fresher product for the consumer. The Company provides a range of options for retail stores, restaurants, cruise ship lines, disaster cleanups and municipal programs. Furthermore, the process incorporates a complete audit trail, an essential component for complying with government regulations in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Safe Harbor:

Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage company who continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain its existence. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results. Clarence W. KarneyProduce Safety & Security International, Inc.2625 Queen Elaine DriveLewisville, TX 75056USAPhone: 972-899-3828 Fax: 972-899-3837
Source: Produce Safety & Security International, Inc.

New UV Tunnel Tests Show Significant Pathogen Reduction

New UV Tunnel Tests Show Significant Pathogen Reduction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Independent testing of VIGILAIR Systems' new UVGI packaging disinfection tunnel demonstrates a 7 log inactivation of key microorganisms. 7 log inactivation was achieved on the following pathogens:
Enterobacter sakazakii
Enterobacter cloacae
Salmonella typhimurium
Listeria monocytogenes
The above microorganisms were used because they are particularly problematic for Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical manufacturers. VIGILAIR® tunnels combine Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), ionization, reflective materials and advanced control electronics to provide a predictable inactivation rate on target organisms.
Testing and validation was performed in collaboration with ZeptoMetrix Corporation, an ISO 9001:2000 and 13485:2003 certified company. In addition, Zeptometrix holds a Select Agent Permit issued by the USDA and the CDC.
VIGILAIR® UVGI disinfection tunnels are integrated into new or existing packaging conveyor lines and are validated in the field. Many VIGILAIR® UVGI Tunnels are used to disinfect packaging such as cans and can ends.
Other VIGILAIR® applications sanitize the air used in processing.
VIGILAIR Systems is the industry leader in the use of evidence based for UV surface and air disinfection. Based in New York State, VIGILAIR® major market segments are Nutraceutical Manufacturing, Healthcare and Bio-Defense. VIGILAIR® serves clients in Asia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.
More information is available at www.VIGILAIRSystems.com.

Enterobacter Sakazakii continues to be a worldwide problem

FROM Indonesian Media Watch:

Indonesian researchers are investigating new reports of Enterobacter Sakazakii infections associated with powdered infant formula. Findings from the report state that the bacteria could cause not only ordinary diarrhea, but also enteritis, sepsis, meningitis and even death.

During a recent health commission hearing where IPB researchers were called to present their findings, the team of researchers led by Dr Sri Estuningsih said that the research was conducted over a three year period from 2003 to 2006. According to Estuningsih, the research was originally aimed at detecting salmonella, e-coli and shigella in milk formula marketed in Indonesia. The researched bacteria were not found. Instead, to their surprise, the researchers found enterobacter sakazakii.

The IPB researchers did more experiments by studying the effect of a bacterial attack on rodents. Several six-day old guinea pigs were force-fed the bacteria. Three days later, organ samples were taken from the rodents. One was found with inflammation of the intestines and brain. Although enterobacter sakazakii attacked people of all ages, babies under one year old who were born prematurely or weighed less than 2.5 kilograms with low body resistance remained most vulnerable. Separately, the IPB findings did not indicate that the bacteria were only found in Indonesia.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, of 141 samples of milk formula it took in several states in America in 2002, 20 were found to have been contaminated by the bacteria. Similar studies have also been carried out by the World Health Organization and Food & Agriculture Organization. In some cases, there were reports of death occurring in developed countries, however, no complete picture of the bacteria has been found as data about the character and growth of enterobacter sakazakii are incomplete and vague.

To allay any concerns on this situation, Sri Irawati Susalit, Director for Food Products Standardization at the Food and Drug Supervisory Board said that her agency was drawing up a new standardization for milk formula. This will include labeling and other requirements on the preparation of the milk formula. On the international level, the World Health Organization feels there are some challenges that need to be addresses when implementing a proper standard that will monitor the production of milk formula.

To date, the WHO has yet to improve the hygiene standards of milk formula from the process of production to distribution, and preparation before feeding, including a detailed instruction on room temperature and the length of preparation. Several scenarios were mentioned, such as what would happen if the milk is prepared in a relatively cold or hot room, how long milk formula would stand before succumbing to infection by enterobacter sakazakii.

Already, the public has acted fast as parents cautiously select milk formulas for their children while they wait for more government tests to confirm which brands of formula have been affected by the bacteria. The government will need to work fast to rectify the situation before it spirals out of control and causes unnecessary fears.

http://www.rsi.sg/english/indonesiamediawatch/view/20080322212430/1/.html

Enterobacter Sakazakii

Enterobacter sakazakii, a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, is a rare cause of invasive infection with high death rates in neonates and has been linked to powdered infant formulas and powdered human milk fortifiers. The Food and Agriculture Orgainzation of the United Nations has identified Enterobacter Sakazakii as an "organism of concern" and has conducted several studies and meetings involving the pathogen. Links to the reports of the FAO are located at the end of this article.

All powdered infant formulas, without exception, are not sterile and can contain a multitude of harmful bacteria—straight out of the package. Since the beginning of our initial investigation and research into powdered milk formulas and its deadly effect on neonates (and full term infants, we have learned), we have identified a number of cases involving premature and full-term infants who became ill after contracting sepsis and/or meningitis as a result of ingesting powdered infant formula products and powdered human milk fortifier formula products from various manufacturers. The instances of Esak contamination and outbreaks continue and are documented worldwide.

What is most alarming about this emerging health crisis is that formula manufacturers continue to produce the powdered formulas with full knowledge that the finished product is not sterile and may contain harmful or deadly bacteria. The manufacturers offer inadequate warnings regarding the non-sterile products even to hospitals and doctors.

Powdered infant formula and human milk fortifier can leave the manufacturers’ facilities laced with bacteria including salmonella, ecoli, and Enterobacter Sakazakii. Although E. sakazakii can cause illness in all age groups, infants are at most risk, with neonates and infants under two months at greatest risk. The groups of infants at greatest risk includes in particular pre-term infants, low-birth-weight infants or immunocompromised infants. However, infants who are compromised for any other reason may also be at greater risk of E. sakazakii infection.

Most of the contaminants in powdered formulas can or may be killed by the operation of a full term, healthy immune system. Unfortunatley, very low birthweight or immunocompromised infants' immune systems are sometimes too weak to kill these bacteria. This explains why most documented Enterobacter Sakazakii infections involve neonates and immuno-compromised infants—their immune systems simply cannot eliminate all of the pathogens. However, as noted above, even full term infants have recently been the target of the deadly bacteria.

In April, 2002, the FDA sent a “Dear Doctor” letter to all health care professionals, the text of which is below (and can be found on the FDA website at the following link http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01146.html :

A quote from the letter states:

“As background information for health professionals, FDA wants to point out that powdered infant formulas are not commercially sterile products. Powdered milk-based infant formulas are heat-treated during processing, but unlike liquid formula products they are not subjected to high temperatures for sufficient time to make the final packaged product commercially sterile…”

The tragic thing is, most health professionals are still unaware of the potentially deadly pathogens contained in these products. As a result, non-sterile powdered formula continues to be prescribed and fed to infants, despite the proven dangers.

The manufactures deny that their product is unsafe. However, Esak continues to harm and infect infants worldwide. In fact, powdered infant formula has been implicated in nearly all neonatal Enterobacter Sakazakii infections worldwide. Most infants who are infected with Esak die. The few that live must cope with a lifetime of severe brain damage, meningitis, and physical inability.

In light of the FDA’s continued and well documented failings in many food contamination cases, and the near daily reports of contamination of our food supply, this issue needs to be brought to the attention of parents everywhere. Parents, doctors, and healthcare givers must be informed as to the nature of these products before they are prescribed.

--Bill Pemerton is an attorney in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the law firm of Horton, Maddox and Anderson PLLC. In 2002, HMA was retained by the parents of an infant who was diagnosed with neonatal bacterial meningitis caused by Enterobacter Sakazakii. Since then, HMA attorneys have logged thousands of hours researching and investigating Enterobacter Sakazakii infections. If you have questions, you may contact the author at bpemerton@chattanooga-law.com.

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/mra6/en/
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5114a1.htm
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/287/17/2204
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/meadjohnson03_02.html
http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5502e/y5502e07.htm


These articles are not legal advice and are not intended as legal advice. These articles are intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. These articles are not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. These articles are generally based on Tennessee and/or United States law. You should consult with an attorney familiar with the issues and the laws of your area or state. These articles do not create any attorney client relationship between you and Horton, Maddox & Anderson PLLC. The articles contained in this weblog are for informational purposes only and are not solicitations.