9 October 2007 - In July, FLEXNEWS reported on the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) notification on Nutricia's Karicare Gold Plus Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula.
The NZSFA said the two Nutricia products are non-compliant in the New Zealand market because they contain added substances called fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).
FOS occurs naturally in a range of plants but can also be synthetically produced. FOS helps the baby's bowel motions.
Nutricia points out that in the Karicare Gold Plus range, FOS is not synthesized, and is instead the natural form of the ingredient, which is extracted from the chicory root.
“Until there has been an opportunity to fully assess all safety implications associated with the inclusion of FOS in infant formula products under New Zealand conditions, NZFSA recommends that parents and caregivers with infants consuming either Nutricia Karicare Gold Plus Infant Formula or Follow-On Formula gradually change to an alternative product”, said the food safety body.
Australia is taking its safety assessment a step further.
Indeed, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is investigating whether FOS is safe for use in food at all – not just in infant foods, reports the Australian press.
Fos is also used as a prebiotic and sweetener in non-infant foods, such as diet bars.
Nutricia withdrew its Karicare Gold Plus range from New Zealand and New South Wales, in Australia where it faces legal action, add the press reports. The range is nonetheless available in other Australian states and territories.