Many Hong Kong parents have expressed concern and a loss of confidence in Nestle after the company recalled 21 batches of baby milk formula products over potential contamination with a toxin that can cause food poisoning.
Some parents on Thursday claimed that their young children fell sick after consuming the affected products, while others called on food safety authorities to also examine Nestle’s other formula batches to ensure they were safe.
Some also said they hoped to exchange or get a refund for Nestle formula products that were not covered by the recall, citing a loss of confidence in the company.
“I don’t know if there are any aftereffects after consuming the affected products and whether there will still be discomfort. We didn’t keep the receipts after seeing a doctor previously, and we threw away the consumed cans so we can’t check the batch number,” a mother said in a WhatsApp group set up by concerned parents with more than 800 members.
“We are really panicked.”
Certain strains of the bacterium can produce cereulide, a heat-stable toxin, in food. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins can lead to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
