Baby milk recalled in Cambodia

Potentially contaminated infant milk powder that had been banned in China, Russia and Vietnam is now being recalled in Cambodia.

The Cambodian distributor of a milk powder product that uses a suspect ingredient from New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is recalling thousands of units as a precautionary measure.

Fonterra announced Saturday that a whey protein concentrate sold to certain producers of baby milk powder and sports drinks may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause botulism, “a rare but serious paralytic illness” that can cause death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms for infants include lethargy, lack of appetite and a “weak cry”, the Atlanta-based centre says. …

Kong Bo, Danone Dumex Cambodia acting country manager, confirmed yesterday that about 7,000 to 8,000 cartons containing 12 tins of the infant milk formula had been identified as possibly containing the Fonterra contaminate. …

Because the recalled formulas – listed as Dumex Dupro Green, Dumex Dupro Gold and Dumex Dulac Gold – are tied to specific batch numbers, consumers can call 012 233 283, one of several numbers set up to handle queries for parents and caregivers looking to find out if they should return their purchases. …

On a global scale, Cambodia is a minor part of Fonterra’s problems. Several news reports say China, the world’s second-largest economy, has banned imports of the milk powder from the country.

In 2008, the Chinese government ordered a recall of Sanlu brand milk powder after it was found to be laced with the industrial chemical melamine, resulting in as many as four deaths and 52,857 cases of poisoning. Cambodia at the time barred imports of Chinese milk products. …

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/baby-milk-recalled-cambodia