HK issues alert on 2 iodine-deficient formulae from Japan

HONG KONG - Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong government Ko Wing-man has advised parents not to feed their babies two Japanese types of infant formulae, which do not meet World Health Organization recommendations, the city government said in a statement Wednesday.

Ko told reporters that the iodine intake from Wakado and Morinaga infant formulae is below a third of the WHO's reference intake if parents feed their babies according to the recommendation on the package. He urged parents to stop feeding the products to their children, as iodine deficiency will affect thyroid function and damage a developing brain.

Parents should use other brands, or adopt breastfeeding, he said, adding breast milk is the best food for babies. Parents can consider thyroid tests if they are concerned about their babies' health.

The city government will provide blood tests for babies up to eight months old at designated Maternal and Child Health Centers from August 10, according to the statement.

Ko added the city government had contacted the importers, who will voluntarily recall the two products. The authorities will strengthen surveillance to make sure the products are not sold on the market.

According to the statement, Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety recently studied 14 popular brands of infant formula. The content of energy and 33 essential nutrients as defined in the Codex Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants were measured.

Six products were found to contain iodine levels lower than the codex prescribed requirements. Two of them were confirmed to have a low level of iodine that could cause health concerns for infants solely fed on the products.

The center will speed up the tests on other infant formulae sold on the market. Tests on products intended for babies up to six months old will be completed by year's-end, and those on products for babies six to 30 months old will be completed in the first half of next year.

Ko said the city government is preparing to regulate the nutritional composition of infant formulae and nutrition labeling.