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Health Ministry bans import of 2 US-made powdered infant formulas after bacteria found

KUALA LUMPUR: Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria have been detected in two powdered infant formulas by United States company Abbott Nutrition's production facility in Sturgis, Michigan.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said acting on the information provided by the US Food and Drug Administration, an investigation by the Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division found these products were Alimentum (400g) and Human Milk Fortifier (0.9gx50 sachets).

"The affected products are with batch number starting with 22 through 37; barcode on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and the expiration date is on April 1 or later.

"The Health Ministry had imposed an auto-rejection order at all international arrival entries against these items," he said in a statement today.

He said Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd confirmed that the company had recalled the products from local market.

"It has also informed the retailers, distributors and institutions that purchased these products to stop selling them.

"All traders including online sellers must stop the sale of these two items immediately and contact their respective district health offices.

"Parents and guardians are advised to check the batch code, stop using the affected formulas, monitor their babies and seek treatment if they show symptoms," he said.

Although Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella are unable to grow in powdered infant formula, the bacteria can survive for a long period of time and pose a potential risk upon rehydration.

In rare occasions, Cronobacter can cause severe infections such as sepsis or meningitis. Common symptoms established by babies are fever, loss of appetite and lethargy.

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