VietNamNet Bridge - Abbott Nutrition Vietnam said that it would revoke Similac GainPlus EyeQ 400g and 900g for children of 1-3 years old in Vietnam, due to suspicion of contamination.

Earlier, the manufacturer of Abbott - Fonterra - discovered a small amount of whey protein used in the production process that might be contaminated with Clostridium bacteria.

The lots of products that can be affected include: 2564G54114, 2564G54115, 2564G54116, 2564G54117, 2564G54118, 2565G54118, 2565G54119, 2566G54119, 2567G54119 and 2567G54120.

Mr. Caillet Jullian, Chief Representative of Abbott Vietnam, said the customer who purchased Similac GainPlus EyeQ products with the lot number coinciding with the above numbers (printed on the bottom of cans) can be taken to the shops to change for new products or to call hotline 19001519 for guidance.

Abbott representative confirmed that no issues of food safety and health related to the above products have been reported so far. Other products by Abbott are totally unaffected by the problem.

Checks on NZ milk imports following contamination alert

The Viet Nam Food Association under the Ministry of Health has recently requested Vietnamese importer the Australia Nutrition Company Limited to check its imports of Karicare formula milk from New Zealand, following concerns over milk contaminated with toxic bacteria.

According to the association, New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries on Sunday officially announced a list of products suspected that may be contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum bacteria. They include Karicare Formula 1 and Karicare Gold+ Follow on Formula 2.

The Viet Nam Food Association has responded by quickly checking imports of the products into the country made from last year, however, none of these products were reported to have been sold in Viet Nam.

Clostridium Botulinum is a bacterium that produces several toxins and can cause nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, paralysis or even death.

Parents worried over toxic milk products in Vietnam

In response to information that Fonterra’s Karicare Infant Formula and Similac Gain Plus Eye-Q dairy products are tainted with Clostridium Botulinum, the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) has asked importers to recall all such products from shelves across the country. However, parents are worried over toxic products as their infants have already been fed with the milk before the announcement.

Similac Gain Plus Eye-Q powder products are no longer displayed in shelves in supermarkets in Hanoi and by agents of Abbott Company.

Moreover, parents have returned products to agents and have received refunds. Some parents have raised concerns that their infants have already been fed with the milk before the announcement.

According to VFA, the Abbott Company reported that by August 5, total recalled containers of Clostridium Botulinum contaminated Similac Gain Plus Eye-Q were 10,135, while it had released 12,927 containers in the market so far.

Dr. Lam Quoc Hung from VFA said Botulism is transmitted through eating foods contaminated with the toxin.

Clostridium Botulinum poisoned people will suffer symptoms like vomiting, belly pain, poor appetite and body fatigue.

The botulism toxin affects the nervous system. Botulism is one of the most dangerous forms of food poisoning as the illness can be fatal if not treated in time, with the rate being higher in infants below one year of age, as their immune system is weaker.

Tien Phong/Vietnam News/Sai Gon Giai Phong