Batches of human breast milk have been recalled, amid fears regarding to the amount of lead that some may contain.
Executives at the Food Standards Agency have launched an investigation into the milk-based products created by NeoKare Nutrition Limited - which the FSA understand contain above average levels of the metal.
The products, which had been supplied to 13 NHS hospitals have since been urgently recalled. Of the total number of hospitals affected, seven are known to have used the products - six in England and the other in Wales.
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The Mirror reports that it's understood a very small number of premature babies were given the milk as part of a clinical trial, or as an alternative nutrition source. The hospitals affected have not yet been disclosed, although the number of families whose babies were given the milk have been contacted by the NHS.
While the product has been recalled, the levels of lead are not thought to be genuinely dangerous, the FSA confirmed. Both the FSA and Trading Standards have advised for all products sold by the company to be withdrawn and recalled as a precaution.
A small number of customers who purchased the affected products online have been notified by the company. The recalls notice affects four products which had been available to purchase online. They include:
Mother's Milk Fortifier (MMF) Powder (10x1g) - food for special medical purpose, supplied to NHS Hospitals only for use predominantly in clinical trials involving preterm babies, not available for retail sale.
Pasteurised Human Breast Milk (PBHM) Powder (6g) - supplied direct to customers online.
70Cal Liquid Frozen (15ml and 50ml) - supplied to the NHS Hospitals and supplied direct to customers online.
Pasteurised Human Breast Milk (PBHM) Liquid Frozen (50ml) - supplied direct to customers online.
Only commercial products made by NeoKare Nutrition Limited are affected by the recall. No other human breast milk or baby formula products on sale to the public are included in the recall, and donor human breast milk from not-for-profit milk banks is unaffected.
Junior Johnson, director of operations at the FSA, said: "This situation is understandably worrying for the parents and guardians affected. We have worked closely with the public health authorities and the NHS to assess the risk to health, which is likely to be low.
"Following advice from FSA and Trading Standards, the business recalled the products and we’ve ensured that customers and patients are contacted. Additional support has been offered to retail customers and to families whose children were given the products.
"We continue to work with Trading Standards to ensure there is no further food safety risk to the public."
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