# CE2004078EN.01029701.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/297 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/297

---

(2004/C 78 E/0299)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3535/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Subject:   Humana Milchunion — infant health

Subject:

The Israeli press reports that the German company Humana Milchunion, which manufactures a soya-based milk substitute for babies for the Israeli company Remedia, has acknowledged its responsibility for vitamin B1 deficiencies and mistakes in the quality control process for the product. The Israeli Health Ministry believes that the lack of vitamin B1 killed three infants and damaged the central nervous system of several more. For the moment, some 20 children in total are believed to be affected.

The same source reports that Humana Milchunion has acknowledged that an independent laboratory demonstrated that their ‘Super Soya 1’ formula contained only 29 to 37 micrograms of vitamin B1 per 100 g of product, although the label stated that the vitamin B1 content was 385 micrograms; furthermore, Humana Milchunion was apparently cooperating fully with the Israeli-German investigation of the case, and wished to see those responsible for the mistakes duly punished.

Remedia claims that the change in the formula must have been due to the mistaken conclusion that the soya itself must already contain sufficient quantities of vitamin B1, and that no further B1 needed to be added.

Apparently, the problem was initially detected in Israel, because Human Milchunion, despite planning to make the same change to the formula for all its products, began the changeover with their line of kosher products destined for the Israeli market, since they were particularly popular amongst orthodox Jews.

In view of the Israeli revelations, the German authorities have apparently already begun their own investigations of Humana Milchunion and the consumers its supplies.

The Commission:

| — | What information does it have as to the continued presence of this product on the European market? |
| --- | --- |

—

What information does it have as to the continued presence of this product on the European market?

| — | What measures has it taken or will it take to alert consumers to the possible risks they may be running, with particular reference to Jewish communities in which consumption of products of this kind is standard practice? |
| --- | --- |

—

What measures has it taken or will it take to alert consumers to the possible risks they may be running, with particular reference to Jewish communities in which consumption of products of this kind is standard practice?

| — | What contact has it established with the Israeli Government and the companies in question? |
| --- | --- |

—

What contact has it established with the Israeli Government and the companies in question?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

(16 January 2004)

The Commission has received information from the German food authorities that the product concerned was exported only to Israel. In addition, the Commission contacted the Israeli authorities via the Commission Delegation in order to obtain from them information regarding possible redistribution of the product from Israel to Member States.

On the basis of this information the Commission has no indication that the product concerned was ever present on the Community market.

Even though the product concerned was not distributed in the Union, the Commission informed the Member States of this issue, thus allowing them to take the appropriate measures to inform consumers if necessary.

---