WRITTEN QUESTION E-1414/02 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Meningitis bacteria in dry babyfood.
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: baby food, death, desiccated product, epidemiology, food contamination, infectious disease, information network, mother's milk, public awareness campaign

C 28 E/104

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

The Commission is aware of the cases of Messrs. Le Chi Quang, Tran Khue, Bui Minh and Dr. Pham Hong
Son. It has not yet been possible to obtain confirmation of the situation of Mr Nguyen Van Minh, but
enquiries are continuing. The situations of Thich Huyen Quang, who remains under administrative
detention in Nghia Hanh Pagoda, Quang Ngai Province, and Thich Quang Do, confined to Thanh Minh
monastery in Ho Chi Minh City also remain of concern.

The Delegation of the Commission will continue to raise particular issues and individual cases of concern
through the appropriate diplomatic channels.

The Community-Vietnam Country Strategy Paper 2002-2006 and National
Indicative Programme
2002-2004, prepared in consultation with the Member States and the Government of Vietnam, was
approved by the Commission on 15 May 2002. The strategy directs the Community-Vietnam co-operation
programme at two focal areas: the enhancement of human development, particularly through support for
integrated rural development, targeting some of the poorest provinces, and support in the field of
education; and integrating Vietnam into the international economy, by assisting continued reform towards
a market-oriented economy and supporting Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
together with some actions designed to alleviate the social consequences of economic reforms. Cross-
cutting themes in the implementation of the Strategy will include environmental protection, culture and
education, gender equality, the promotion of human rights, and good governance as an integral part of the
co-operation programme.

Information on projects financed under the previous Community-Vietnam Country Strategy (cid:1) which was
also focused particularly on development in the poorer rural areas, health and education, as well as
support for economic reform (cid:1) is also provided in the new Country Strategy Paper, which is published on
the External Relations web site (1). In addition to these actions under the Community-Vietnam bilateral co-
operation programme, the Commission has also supported one project in Vietnam under the European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/vietnam/csp/index.htm.

(2003/C 28 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1414/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Meningitis bacteria in dry babyfood

Researchers at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands have confirmed that the bacterium
(also known as Yellow Pigmented Enterobacter Cloacae), which can cause
Enterobacter sakazakii
meningitis in new-born babies and the elderly, has been ‘found regularly’ in dry babyfood. Somehow or
other, this bacterium manages to get into the tower driers used in the production of babyfood. Most other
pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella, can be prevented and eliminated by means of very strict hygiene
at the production plant, but not Enterobacter sakazakii.

Is the Commission aware of this problem?

Has this phenomenon resulted in infants who consume dry babyfood becoming infected with meningitis?
How many such cases have there been, both in absolute and in relative terms? How many babies have died
of meningitis after being infected with Enterobacter sakazakii in dry babyfood? If the Commission does not
have any information about this, will it make inquiries into the matter?

What measures will the Commission take in order, if possible, to prevent meningitis infections via dry
babyfood in future?

Can the Commission say whether (cid:1) in the light of the above (cid:1) breast-feeding is preferable to dry
babyfood? If so, what will the Commission do to draw the attention of the people of Europe to this fact?

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/105

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2002)

At the end of April 2002 the Commission was informed of the death of an infant that had been linked to
the consumption of an infant formula from which Enterobacter sakazakii was isolated. According to the
information provided by the manufacturer,
the product concerned was in conformity with existing
national standards in the Member State where it was manufactured and with international standards. The
Commission alerted all Member States through the Rapid Alert System (1). Since issuing the warning
through the Rapid Alert System, the Commission has not been made aware of any cases of meningitis in
infants caused by Enterobacter sakazakii.

Member States also have systems for reporting illnesses and they are obliged to communicate and to
exchange data through the Community Network for Communicable Diseases established under Decision
No 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the
epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (2).

The Commission would agree that when it is possible and not contraindicated, breast-feeding is the best
way of feeding young infants and mothers should be encouraged to do so. Commission Directive 91/321/
EEC of 14 May 1991 on infant formulae and follow-on-formulae (3) includes provisions to ensure that
information on infant feeding intended for pregnant women and mothers indicates the benefits and
superiority of breast-feeding. A statement concerning the superiority of breast-feeding must be included on
the label of infant formula itself. This year the Commission is funding a project that aims to evaluate and
develop standards for breast-feeding promotion activities in the Union with a view to develop strategies
and plans for breast-feeding promotion at national and local levels.

(1) Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety, OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.
(2) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.
(3) OJ L 175, 4.7.1991.

(2003/C 28 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1422/02

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: EU-funded projects in Israel

The text below appeared in a letter to the UK’s Guardian newspaper on 6 April 2002. Does the
Commission agree with the points raised?

‘Many national and European cultural and research institutions, including especially those funded from the
EU and the European Science Foundation, regard Israel as a European state for the purposes of awarding
grants and contracts. Would it not therefore be timely that at both national and European level a
moratorium was called upon any further such support unless and until Israel abides by UN resolutions and
opens serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians along the lines proposed in many peace plans,
including most recently that sponsored by the Saudis and the Arab League?’

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2002)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that Israel
is not among the recipients of
Community bilateral aid. Its high per capita GDP makes it ineligible for Community-financed bilateral
cooperation programmes (the MEDA Programme). However, a few Israeli civil society groups are involved
in various regional programmes along with other partners from the region.