Infectious germ found in Japanese baby formula

E-coli has been detected in baby formula from Japan, making parents with young babies and toddlers increasingly nervous.

Infectious germs have been discovered in Japanese baby formula after staphylococcus aures was detected in baby formula early this month from Korea’s Maeil Dairy.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said Tuesday that enterobacter sakazakii, a type of E-coli, was detected in Japanese baby formula. If the bacteria is consumed by newborns with poor immune systems and low birth-weight infants, it can cause meningitis or enteritis.

The product in question is Wakodo Gungun produced by the Japanese company Wakodo. A combined 3,851 kilograms of the product was imported to Korea on six occasions last year and 2,954 kilograms have been imported on two occasions this year.

The Korean quarantine authority said, “This germ generally does not cause infection if baby formula is mixed with hot water of 70 degrees Celsius or higher, but enterobacter sakazakii is bacteria requiring control to assure safety.”

“All 50 cases (220 kilograms) of the product found to contain the bacteria have been returned and disposed of.”

The agency also plans to recall part of the company’s products imported this year and last year that are in circulation in Korea, and conduct a close inspection.