Aug 17, 2012

Milk powder fears raised again

A second baby has been found to have an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level after drinking banned Japanese formula.
The seven-month-old girl registered a level slightly above the reference range, the Department of Health said last night.
Five other samples were found to be normal.
After the latest case was reviewed by Hospital Authority specialists and the department, it was learned that the girl has been mostly breastfed and only consumed Morinaga infant formula occasionally.
"Given the dietary history, the cause of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is less likely due to the formula and the cause requires further investigation," a department spokesman said.
The girl is thought to be the second baby to have abnormal levels of the hormone linked to the low iodine content of milk.
Also, two Korean infant formula brands - Namyang XO Five Secret 1 and 2 - were found to have iodine content below the international requirement, but show no health risks to infants, the Centre for Food Safety said last night.
The center has so far announced test results for 46 infant powders, among which six manufactured in Japan were found to have "rather low iodine content, which may affect the functioning of the thyroid gland of infants solely fed on them."
Meanwhile, United States-based Mead Johnson Nutrition said the Centre for Food Safety should adopt Codex food standards rather than those of the World Health Organization.
Its global regulatory and nutrition science vice president, Peter Van Dael, said: "Besides adopting the Codex food standards, countries and cities may also adjust the standards according to their own culture."

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