JEDDAH, 22 November 2002 — The Ministry of Commerce has banned the import of powdered milk produced by the American company Wyeth Nutritional Inc. manufactured during the period between July 12 and Sept.25 this year, Al-Hayat reported yesterday.
The ministry said its move was prompted by an online statement of the company of suspected contamination of the product. According to Drug Store News Online of Nov. 1, Wyeth Nutrition, in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration, was initiating a voluntary recall of all batches of store brand powdered milk and soy-based infant formula produced between July 12 and Sept. 25 at the company’s Georgia, Vt., manufacturing facility.
Low levels of Enterobacter sakazakii (E. sakazakii), a bacterium that is common in the environment, were detected in tests of retained samples manufactured at the facility during this period.
The brands being recalled include: Baby Basics, CVS, Home Best, Healthy Baby, Kozy Kids, Hill Country Fare or HEB, Little Ones, Parent’s Choice, Safeway Select and Walgreen’s.
There have been no reports of illness associated with E. sakazakii infection as a result of ingestion of Wyeth infant formula. Wyeth’s liquid formula products are not affected. The recall does not affect products produced at any other Wyeth Nutrition manufacturing facility. The bacteria contamination may lead to intestinal and meningeal complaints particularly in babies with weak immunity. The ministry appealed to importers to hand over all the stock of the commodity in the market to the anti-fraud department immediately and not to offer any of the contaminated food to customers.The ministry also urged them to ensure the safety of the goods they import and insist on the foreign manufacturers to adhere to Saudi specifications.
