Truong Van Toan, head of the Dutch firm’s Legal Department, said the firm had recalled 58 percent of its Vivinal GOS products currently in its Vietnam distribution system.
“We are trying our best to take 3 million products off the market by mid-November, even though we know the products are safe,” Toan told Thanh Nien on Wednesday.
FrieslandCampina, formerly known as Dutch Lady Vietnam, introduced Dutch Lady Vivinal GOS to Vietnam September. The milk contains galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and has been used in more than 50 countries for 10 years now.
Since October 13, HCMC-based Children Hospital No.2 has admitted ten children with rashes and respiratory difficulties developed after consuming the milk. Hanoi has reported two similar cases so far and parents are blaming GOS for the problems.
Toan said tests of 1,200 Vivina GOS samples conducted at a World Health Organization-authorized laboratory had found no relation between the milk and the allergies.
The Vietnam Food Administration and the Ho Chi Minh City-based Institute of Hygiene and Public Health have rendered milk samples for epidemiologic testing but have yet to release any results.
Friesland halted production of GOS in Vietnam October 26 and announced the recall two days later. The company said it has no further plans to continue producing GOS milk in Vietnam.
Reported by Minh Quang |
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