FDA warns on baby formula from China

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said today that babies should not be fed infant formula manufactured in China.

The agency issued the warning after reports that infant formula in China has been found to be contaminated with a compound called melamine, which is used to give the impression that the milk contains more protein than it really does.

Melamine can cause kidney diseases and there are reports that a number of infants in China who have been fed Chinese-manufactured formula have developed kidney stones, a condition that is rare in infants.

FDA officials say that there should be no danger of contamination in formula manufactured by companies that have met standards required to sell the product in the US and no Chinese manufacturers have met those standards.

However, it is possible that infant formula from China may be being sold in specialty markets that serve Asian communities. FDA officials said they were investigating whether these products have made it to the shelves of these specialty stores. 

The FDA advises that:

“,,,caregivers not to feed infant formula manufactured in China to infants. This should be replaced with an appropriate infant formula manufactured in the United States as mentioned below. Individuals should contact their health care professional if they have questions regarding their infant’s health or if they note changes in their infant’s health status.”

The following manufacturers have met FDA standards for milk-based infant formula:

• Abbot Nutritionals
• Mead Johnson Nutritionals
• Nestle USA
• PBM Nutritionals
• Solus Products LLC

One other company, SHS/Nutricia of Liverpool, England markets an amino acid based exempt infant formula that does not contain any milk-derived ingredients.

For more information: 

• Read the FDA press release
• International Community Health Services (which runs clinics serving the Asian community in Seattle)

Tags: Infant Formula

Category: Asian Health, Child & Youth Health, Newborn and Infant Health, Poisoning & Environmental Health, Uncategorized