South Korea's Maeil Dairy Baby Formula Contaminated With Enterobacter Sakazakii
From news services in Seoul comes world that a South Korean baby formula is contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, the baceria that can cause meningitis in infants.
South Korea's National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) said Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria was found in 695kg of powdered milk made by Maeil Dairies Co. June 17. The 
discovery was made during regular sample testing by the agency under the food and agriculture ministry.
The government agency said the 53,460 individual 13g packages were contaminated overall, although none had reached the retail market.
Enterobacter sakazakii or Cronobacter poses particular risks to babies under six months old or weighing under five and half pounds. However, it poses no threat if mixed with boiling water exceeding 158 decrees.
"Investigators are trying to find the cause of the contamination that may have been related to the manufacturing process or the ingredients used," an NVRQS official said.
He said all products suspected of being tainted with the bacteria are currently in a holding area and will be destroyed, with Maeil ordered to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
The products contaminated were all disposable packages of the company's Premium Goong 1 baby formula. Larger cans containing the formula were not tainted with the bacteria.
According to financial websites: Maeil Dairy Industry Co., Ltd. with annual sales in the $1 billion range produces baby foods, beverages, yogurts, and soybean milk products. It also offers milk, fermented milk, cheese, nutritional meals for the pregnant, and oil products. In addition, the company imports and supplies chocolates, olive oil, and grape seed oil. Its products are used in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee franchises. Maeil Dairy Industry Co., Ltd. offers its products through contracted distributors. The company exports its products to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the United States, Guam, Canada, Mexico, and the Russian Federation.
It is uncredible to read that.
We are living in a strange world.
I hope evrything gona be ok in the future. I am really afraid
Hi I come from a small town in Scotland, I had my baby girl Amy 12 years ago and she contracted Enterobacter Sakazakii which led to meningitis.Amy has been left seriously brain damaged.
12 years ago we had no information and we were told Amy was the first baby to have ever cought this bug, when we asked Dr's for what this was they said they did'nt know anything.
What I know now is heart breaking. My baby was poisened by INFANT FORMULA. (SOMETHING THAT WAS MEANT TO HELP HER GROW, BUT IT AND NEARLY ENDED UP KILLING HER.)
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I just got a box of Maeil premium 1 disposable formula for newborn. Its all written in korean. Expiry date somewhere in 2010. Is this batch also contaminated? I'm planning to give my newborn this formula that supposedly has colostrum. Now I'm scared. Help!