Abbott Vietnam has expanded the recall of its Similac GainPlus Eye-Q products to include another 4,387 cans of infant formula over concerns of whey concentrate contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
The products implicated in the recall include 1.7kg cans of Similac GainPlus Eye-Q 3, for children aged between one and three years, that feature import lot codes 2563G53117 and 2576G53117.
On 3 August, Abbott was ruled by Vietnam's Ministry of Health to suspend distribution of the product from ten lots imported between 17 June and 3 July and recall cans that had been sold.
Earlier this month, Fonterra announced that certain batches of its whey protein, which is used for the manufacture of infant formula, beverages and animal feed, was contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.
The whey protein concentrate was exported to China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.
Botulism, a dangerous form of food poisoning, is caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the nervous system and can affect people of any age group.
Consumption of food contaminated by such bacteria can lead to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
