Hong Kong to test babies over Japanese infant formula concerns

08-Aug-2012 - Last updated on 09-Aug-2012 at 16:29 GMT

Hong Kong plans to test babies over concerns two brands of Japanese infant milk formula were iodine-deficient.

Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) said standard tests for energy and nutrient levels recvealed the Wakodo and Morinaga brands had low iodine levels.

Hong Kong’s Department of Health (DOH) said that it would test babies who have consumed the brands.

A DOH spokesman told Food Navigator-Asia that the department has set up a 9am to 9pm hotline to deal with public queries.

“DOH will also arrange 10 Maternal and Child Health Centres as designated clinics to provide thyroid function test for infants of one to eight months old who are taking Wakodo and Morinaga,” he said.

Recall and more tests initiated

“The CFS has informed the relevant importers of the test results. They have now stopped sale of the products concerned and initiated a product recall,” a CFS spokesman said.

The CFS has also stepped up sampling of powdered formulae aimed at infants below six months.

Test results for other Japanese infant formula brands on sale in Hong Kong will be announced later this week while tests of iodine content on other infant formula manufactured in other countries will be completed by month’s end, the spokesman said.

Stop and Switch

The CFS warned caregivers to stop feeding infants with it. “Parents should study the iodine content on the label of infant formula. They can change to another brand of cow milk-based infant formula with iodine content as recommended by Codex for infant formula [10-60mg/100 kcal],” he said.