Nine Infant Formula Milk Powder in Hong Kong Tested Positive for Cancerogen

All 15 sampled infant formula products were detected positive for 3-MCPD, a kind of contaminant that may harm renal function and male fertility with Bellamy’s Organic containing the highest level of 120ug/kg. 9 of the sampled products that had cancerogen gylcidyl esters, included Snow Brand, Meiji, Wyeth, A2, Mead Johnson and Abbott. While the Consumer Council suggests that 3-MCPD level in food should be regulated, it seems that CFS will not take immediate actions to strengthen their supervision.

As revealed by the press conference held by Hong Kong Consumer Council on Aug. 17, 2020 ^[1], 15 infant formula products sold in Hong Kong were inspected and 9 of them were tested positive for cancerogen glycidyl esters (GE). The content of GE remained in the sample products ranges from 1.1 ug/kg to 29 ug/kg, with “Smart Baby” of Snow Brand to have the highest GE level. In spite of the detection, the GE residues do not exceed the maximum limit stipulated by EU which is 50 ug/kg.

HK infant formula containing GE ^[2]

Brand	Product	GE (ug/kg)
Snow Brand	Smart Baby infant formula	29
Meiji	Infant formula	27
Wyeth	Nursoy soy protein infant formula	16
Wyeth	Illume infant formula milk powder	12
Nestle	Nan	10
Mead Johnson	Enfamil infant formula	4.5
A2	Platinum premium infant formula	1.1
Wyeth	S-26 GOLD SMA	1.1
Abbott	Isomil infant formula	1.1

All of these 15 sampled products had 3-MCPD, a kind of contaminant that may harm renal function and male fertility. Bellamy’s Organic contained the highest level of 3-MCPD of 120ug/kg. If the product consumption is followed by the instructions, the daily intake of 3-MCPD would exceed the maximum level stipulated by European Food Safety Authority of 8.6 ug/day.

Both GE and 3-MCPD are non-intentionally added during food manufacturing. They are produced during the deodorization process of oil so they are likely to exist in food products containing oil ingredients.

In addition, these 15 infant formula products contained tiny lead but they are within the maximum limits set in “2018 Food Metallic Contamination Amendment Provision” and CODEX standard. However, the actual nutrition content of 6 samples were inconsistent with the value indicated on the package, which even exceeded the permitted error tolerance range. For example, the actual content of Vitamin A in Wythe Illuma Infant Formula Milk Powder is 21.9% less than the value indicated on the package ^[3].

Consumer Council appealed that the contaminants such as 3-MCPD and GE should be regulated in Hong Kong. However, Center of Food Safety (CFA) replied that major developed countries including US., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore have not yet established mandatory maximum limits for 3-MCPD. In term of GE, CFA will monitor the latest regulatory updates issued by international organizations and relevant authorities.