The food safety regulator has defended its actions around a recall of contaminated baby food early in the new year.
Three batches of two Nutramigen products made by Reckitt Mead Johnson in the US were the subject of a food alert by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) on January 2nd, due to the possible presence of dangerous bacteria.
The bacteria can cause an infection known as cronobacter sakazakii, which can cause seizures and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
The products, generally prescribed for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk, are supplied following consultation with a GP, paediatrician or dietician.
The FSAI said it published the alert on its website and through social media platforms.
A breastfeeding advocacy group, Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland, has said it is “surprised” the information was not shared more widely “given the serious nature of the issue”.
It said one of its members, Dr Sarah Brennan, “still hasn’t been informed through official channels” about the recall.
According to the FSAI, environmental health officers from the Health Service Executive visited distributors and wholesalers to obtain complete traceability and customer lists and to ensure pharmacies have point-of-sale notices about the recall.
GPs, paediatricians, public health nurses and other relevant stakeholders and organisations were also contacted, it said.
Responding to the group’s criticisms, an FSAI spokeswoman said: “It is a food business’s legal responsibility to alert its customers about a food recall and this includes online sales.
“Reckitt Mead Johnson and the wholesalers/distributors of this product in Ireland were told to inform their customers, which were mainly pharmacies and we confirmed that this recall was actioned. The GPs were contacted by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.”
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