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FDA Issues Warning on Chinese-Made Infant Formula

Melamine contamination may cause kidney stones in babies

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 12, 2008

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned parents, caregivers, and childcare workers not to feed babies any infant formula made in China.

The warning comes on the heels of reports that some Chinese-made infant formula may be contaminated with melamine, the same chemical blamed for the deaths and illnesses of thousands of dogs and cats in last year's massive pet food recall.

FDA officials said a number of babies in China--who drank Chinese-made infant formula--have developed kidney stones. That is a rare condition in infants.

Melamine can artificially increase the protein profile of milk and cause kidney diseases like those seen in Chinese infants, the FDA said.

Companies that make infant formula for the U.S. market, however, are not importing infant formula or source materials from China.

"This is to assure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell infant formula in the United States," the FDA said in a Health Information Advisory issued today.

But FDA officials are concerned that some Chinese-made infant formula could be on the shelves of specialty stores in the Asian communities.

FDA officials have asked state officials to help them remove any Chinese-made infant formula from those stores and warn members of the Asian community not to use the products.

A story from USA Today -- citing China's Xinhua News Agency -- reported that Sanlu Group, the major Chinese dairy that produced the infant formula, has recalled 700 tons of the potentially-tainted product.

The FDA requires all infant formula manufacturers to register with the agency and follow specific labeling and nutritional requirements. These infant formula makers also undergo an annual inspection of their production facilities.

Here is a list of the manufacturers that have met the FDA's requirements for marketing milk-based infant formulas in the United States:

• Abbott Nutritionals;

• Mead Johnson Nutritionals;

• Nestle USA;

• PBM Nutritionals;

• Solus Products LLC

Another company, SHS/Nutricia, Liverpool, England, also markets an amino acid based exempt infant formula that does not contain any milk-derived ingredients, the FDA said.

Consumers who notice any changes in their infant's health--or have questions about their babies' health--should contact their doctor.

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