Danone Dumex Malaysia recalls some of its milk products, possible botulism contamination

KUALA LUMPUR: Danone Dumex (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has recalled limited batches of Dumex Dupro, Mamex Cherish, Mamex Explore and Bebelac as a precautionary measure for consumers due to possible botulism contamination.

Danone Dumex, in a statement here Sunday, said Fonterra informed Danone Dumex Malaysia that one of their ingredients had a potential quality issue.

"The safety of our consumers is our primary concern. Danone Dumex's quality and food safety management system includes rigorous testing procedures of our finished products. None of the products tested and sold in Malaysia indicate any contamination.

"However, given the new information supplied by Fonterra, we have taken the decision to make a precautionary recall on specific batches of products," it said.

On Saturday, New Zealand authorities had issued a warning on a whey protein concentrate (WPC) product manufactured by Fonterra, as it was suspected to have been contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause food poisoning (botulism).

WPC is an ingredient in infant formula, growing-up milk powder and sports drinks. It was reported these products are exported from New Zealand to several countries including Malaysia.

This new information indicated that some of the ingredients supplied to Danone Dumex may also have been contaminated. For this reason, Danone Dumex has instigated a precautionary recall in Malaysia.

The products being recalled are:

Dumex Dupro Step 2 with batch numbers 04263B2, 04273B2, 05033B2, 05093B2, 05153B2, 05223B2, 05233B2, 05143T1, 05153B1, 04263B1, 04273B1, 04273B2, 05033B1, 05033B2, 05093B1, 05093B2, 05153B1, 05153B2, 05223B1, 05223B2 and 05233B1;

Mamex Cherish Step 1 with batch numbers 06103T1, 06213B1, 06213B2, 06053R1, 06123R1, 06093T1 and 06213B1;

Mamex Explore Step 2 with batch numbers 06093T1, 06123R1, 06213B1 and 06213B2;

Bebelac Step 2 with batch numbers 05023R1 and 05033R1.

"Consumers should not feed products with these batch numbers to infants. If you have been using these products to feed your infant and your child shows any sign of illness, please contact your health care professional as a precautionary measure," it said.

This recall only affects batches noted above, sold in Malaysia. The recall does not include other batches of the same products and other Danone Dumex products.

"If you have recently purchased any products with the batch numbers detailed above, please return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Danone Dumex apologises for any inconvenience or stress caused by this, but the safety of our consumers is our paramount concern. We are doing everything we can to resolve this issue and provide as much information and support as possible," it said.

Consumers in possession of the products should contact the Careline on 1-800-38-1038. - Bernama