Late on May 4, the ministry said the product, intended for infants aged 0 to 12 months, may contain cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus that can pose health risks to young children.
Authorities have requested local agencies to review product registrations and declarations related to the powdered formula, which is fortified with iron and manufactured by A2 Milk Company.
a2 Platinum USA infant formula has been recalled because it may pose a health risk (Photo: The Hill).
Relevant units are instructed to work with distributors and importers to notify consumers to stop using the product and to carry out a recall in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. They must also report the quantities imported, sold, and remaining in stock, and propose handling measures for affected batches.
The ministry has urged localities to strengthen market surveillance, particularly for milk and nutritional products for children, and to promptly recall and issue warnings for substandard products to prevent food safety incidents.
Consumers have been advised not to use any batches of the a2 Platinum Premium USA infant formula. Authorities are required to report their handling results to the Food Safety Department before May 18.
E-commerce platforms, websites, and distributors have also been instructed to suspend sales of the affected product if it is circulating in Vietnam.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company voluntarily recalled three batches of the product in the United States. The powdered formula, designed for infants up to 12 months old, was found to contain cereulide, a toxin that cannot be eliminated even when mixed with hot water.
Infants consuming contaminated formula may develop symptoms within 30 minutes to six hours, typically resolving within a day. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and digestive disorders.
