Hong Kong authorities have found traces of a toxin in another five samples of Nestlé baby milk formula, marking the second such discovery since batches of the firm’s products were withdrawn over contamination fears.
The Centre for Food Safety said on Monday night that during its ongoing follow-up investigations, five samples among 22 batches recalled earlier tested positive for the toxin cereulide, produced by the Bacillus cereus bacterium.
The toxin levels ranged from 0.2 to 1.3 micrograms per kilogram of food. The samples involved were from the products Nan INFINIPRO2 7HMO (800g), Nan PRO 1 2HMO (800g) and Illuma LUXA 1 (800g), with batch numbers 53070742F1, 51670742F2 and 51190017C2, respectively.
It marked the second such discovery by the centre. It found traces of the toxin in five samples from four recalled batches more than two weeks after the products were removed from shop shelves.
The centre had issued a warning in early January when the Swiss food giant’s Hong Kong unit began recalling 21 batches of milk formula products after similar actions were taken in several European countries. The number of affected batches later rose to 22.
Nestlé had said the recall was a precautionary measure taken after it was discovered that an ingredient from a supplier used in the affected batches could contain a heat-stable toxin derived from Bacillus cereus.
According to Nestlé, as of January 30, about 159,000 cans of affected products had been recalled.
The centre and the company marked and sealed 233,000 cans from suspected affected batches, including those in a warehouse and ones already recalled.
An additional 16 suspected affected batches were currently on the way to Hong Kong and would also be marked and sealed upon arrival, the centre said.
Authorities have received 48 food complaints and inquiries suspected to be related to the formula products since January 7.
Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins could lead to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
