The Ministry of Health believes that a Vitamin B1 deficiency harmed the infants who consumed the Remedia soya-based non-dairy baby formula. Vitamin B1 deficiency also causes Beri-Beri. 17 infants are still hospitalized with varying degrees of illness, although the condition of most has improved. Two babies have died.
Senior Ministry of Health officials believe the Remedia formula underwent certain changes that apparently affected its quality. The ministry said the changes were made six months ago, but the ministry was only notified about them last week, contravening regulations.
Remedia Marketing CEO Gideon Landsberger said in response that the non-dairy formula had been launched years ago. The company made minor changes to the formula five months ago, to adapt it to recent scientific developments. He said the non-dairy formula was manufactured according to EU standards for baby formula, while Israel has no such standard.
The Ministry of Health today ordered a special team to visit the Humana plant near Hannover, Germany, where the special production line for the Israeli formula is made.
Ministry of Health Food and Nutrition department head Dr. Dorit Nitzan-Klosky told "Globes" that the team would examine the manufacturing process, the technology used on the production line for the Israeli formula, and the formula's components.
The director said the ministry did not rule out a bacteriological or viral contamination of the Remedia formula, or contamination by heavy metals, which could cause the symptoms.
A Business Data Israel (BDI) survey commissioned by "Globes" found that Israel's non-dairy market totaled NIS 350-370 million a year, and was growing by 4-8% a year. The Materna brand had 40-42% of the market; followed by Remedia with 30-35%; and Similac, with 26-28%.
Marketing chains report a complete halt in purchases of Remedia, and the market is now dominated by Materna. Materna maker Maabarot Products (TASE:MABR) soared 40% today.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on November 9, 2003