Warning issued over baby milk formula

A SECOND warning has been issued to stop selling an infant milk formula because the product could still be in stock at some hospitals and pharmacies.

Pregestimil, which is made by Mead Johnson Nutritionals and aimed at premature babies, was recalled around the world last month as it had been linked to the death of two infants in France.

However, it could still be stocked at Irish hospitals and pharmacies, as at least one hospital was not fully aware of the recall.

Only a couple of hundred cans of the formula are distributed here each year and none of the batch, associated with the French deaths, was sold in this country, said the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The deaths in France were due to Enterobacter sakazakii, an agent that can cause serious infection in vulnerable infants, but poses little risk to healthy, full-term infants. FSAI chief executive Dr John O’Brien said the recall was a precautionary measure and that parents of premature babies should not be unduly alarmed.

“This product is very specialised and is adapted for premature babies with intolerance to cow’s milk protein. As such, it was only available in hospitals and a limited number of pharmacies; it was not available in shops or supermarkets,” he said.

“I would advise any parent who may have a can of Pregestimil in their home not use it and to return it to its point of supply, be it the hospital or their pharmacy.”

The FSAI, the National Disease Surveillance Centre and the Irish Medicines Board will be alerting chemist shops, pharmaceutical wholesalers and the medical profession to the product recall.

Those with concerns or queries regarding the product can contact the FSAI helpline on 1890 336677 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.