NZFSA Takes Nutricia To Task Over Infant Formula

NZFSA Takes Nutricia To Task Over Infant Formula

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority announced today that Karicare’s line of Gold Plus formulas including Gold Plus Ready-to-Feed, Infant, and Follow-On contain non-compliant substances called fructo-oligosaccahrides (FOS) or prebiotics.

NZFSA compliance and investigation director Geoff Allen recommends parents and caregivers gradually change to an alternative product such as Karicare’s Gold or Standard lines of formula. Mr Allen said at a media conference that although there is no proven health risk for FOS, it has not been proven to be safe in New Zealand conditions. FOS is approved in the European Union in restricted amounts and has been on the market for seven years.

In a press statement issued shortly after the NZFSA ruling the company that makes Karicare Gold plus - Nutricia - stressed that 'the current discussions regarding FOS are around how it is classified, and not about any safety issues.'

"[Nutricia] would like to reassure consumers that Nutricia and independent international health authorities continue to have confidence in the safety of Karicare Gold Plus; and as such, the company strongly disputes any suggestion that any of the ingredients used in the product have not been adequately assessed," said Nuricia in the press statement.

According to Nutricia, the manufacturer of Karicare Formulas, FOS encourages the growth of good bacteria in the gut which benefits the digestive and immune systems. FOS also aids in bowel motions; however, in some children ingestion of FOS could result in diarrhoea. NZFSA stated that some infants could be at risk of dehydration.

Mr Allen said additives such as FOS have to seek a specific approval to be placed in a product that needs to take place prior to marketing. Since Nutricia did not seek that permission, sanctions will be enacted.

A safety assessment of FOS would take six months according to NZFSA.

Listen to the NZFSA press conference

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