Thiamine-Deficient Formula Recalled

Thiamine-Deficient Formula Recalled

JERUSALEM--Israel's Health Ministry orderedGerman-manufactured Remedia Soy Formula be pulled from shelves amid fears it ledto encephalopathy--also known as beri beri--a neurological and cardiovasculardisorder caused by thiamine deficiency. The product was found to contain none ofthe thiamine (vitamin B1) it was labeled to have, and at press time had beenlinked to 20 brain disorders and three deaths in Israeli infants. The productwas especially popular in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, since the formula waspromoted as being manufactured under strict kosher guidelines.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Nov. 10advisory in case any Americans had bought the infant formula. However, theagency reported it had not found records of any formula having come into thecountry. Nonetheless, FDA is collaborating with health agencies such as the Cityof New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, since the city is home to alarge number of Orthodox Jews.

The H.J. Heinz Co. has a controlling stake in Humana, the company that makesRemedia. According to a Nov. 14 report on National Public Radio, Humana reportedhaving changed the formula in early 2003, and thought the product's soy wouldmeet labeled thiamine levels.