Cronobacter Support
07-28-2009, 12:44 PM
From Yonhap News Agency
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- A bacteria that can cause meningitis in infants has been found in a locally made baby formula, the government quarantine service said Monday.
The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) said Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria was found in 695kg of powdered milk made by Maeil Dairies Co. June 17. The discovery was made during regular sample testing by the agency under the food and agriculture ministry.
It said the 53,460 individual 13g packages were contaminated overall, although none had reached the market.
Enterobacter sakazakii poses particular risks to babies under six months old or weighing under 2.5kg. However, it poses no threat if mixed with water exceeding 70 decrees Celsius.
"Investigators are trying to find the cause of the contamination that may have been related to the manufacturing process or the ingredients used," an NVRQS official said.
He said all products suspected of being tainted with the bacteria are currently in a holding area and will be destroyed, with Maeil ordered to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
The products contaminated were all disposable packages of the company's Premium Goong 1 baby formula. Larger cans containing the formula were not tainted with the bacteria.
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- A bacteria that can cause meningitis in infants has been found in a locally made baby formula, the government quarantine service said Monday.
The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) said Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria was found in 695kg of powdered milk made by Maeil Dairies Co. June 17. The discovery was made during regular sample testing by the agency under the food and agriculture ministry.
It said the 53,460 individual 13g packages were contaminated overall, although none had reached the market.
Enterobacter sakazakii poses particular risks to babies under six months old or weighing under 2.5kg. However, it poses no threat if mixed with water exceeding 70 decrees Celsius.
"Investigators are trying to find the cause of the contamination that may have been related to the manufacturing process or the ingredients used," an NVRQS official said.
He said all products suspected of being tainted with the bacteria are currently in a holding area and will be destroyed, with Maeil ordered to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
The products contaminated were all disposable packages of the company's Premium Goong 1 baby formula. Larger cans containing the formula were not tainted with the bacteria.