June 10, 1999
The Department of Health met with representatives of various medical and healthcare workers associations today (Thursday) to explain the details of the exercise to suspend from sales a number of food items, including infant milk formula, from four European countries.
The meeting came to a consensus on the following advice given to parents by the Department of Health (DH):
Parents should stop feeding babies with milk products and/or milk formula from Belgium, France, Germany and Holland until further advice is given by the Department of Health.
If there is any doubt on the origin of the products they have in hand, parents are advised to consult doctors or nurses at DH's maternal and child care centres bringing together with them the can of milk formulae.
The contamination dates were reported to be between January 15 and June 1 this year. However, there is no evidence to show that this is the final finding as the story unfolds. It is therefore prudent that milk formulae from the four countries, irrespective of manufacturing date, should be put aside until further advice can be given by the Department of Health on the safety of these products.
The Department of Health advises all parents using milk formulae from these four countries to change to supplies from other countries until further advice is given by the Department of Health.
The action is taken as a precautionary measure. Dioxin is a chemical that could have cancer causing effect only when used for a very prolonged period.
Most babies will have no difficulties in the change of milk formulae, however, parents who encounter problems should consult doctors or approach the DH's maternal and child care centres for assistance.
The Department of Health has obtained assurance from traders that there would be sufficient supply of milk formulae from other countries.
Today's meeting was attended by representatives from the Hong Kong Medical Association; Estate Doctors Association; Public Doctors' Association; Practising Estate Doctors' Association; Government Doctors' Association; Hong Kong Midwives association; Hong Kong College of Paediatrics; Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Hong Kong College of Family Medicine; Hong Kong Paediatric Society; Obstetrical and Gynaecology Society of Hong Kong; and the Hospital Authority.