WHO, FAO urge affected countries to ensure safe feeding of infants

---

FE Report
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have urged the affected countries to ensure safe feeding of millions of infants following the ongoing melamine-contaminated milk crisis in China.
The two agencies in a joint statement Friday also called on the countries to remain alert to the possible spread of melamine-contaminated dairy products.
"While breastfeeding is the ideal way of providing infants with the nutrients they need for their healthy growth and development, it is also critical to ensure that there is an adequate supply of safe powdered infant formula to meet the needs of infants who are not breastfed," said Jorgen Schlundt, Director of the WHO Food Safety Department.
Replacing powdered infant formula with other products such as condensed milk, honey mixed with milk, or fresh milk is inappropriate, as such products would put at risk the safety and nutritional status of this vulnerable population group, the two agencies advised.
"Restoring consumer confidence is critical. Melamine-contaminated products should be removed from the food chain in order to prevent further exposure. The safe supply of dairy products needs to be restored immediately," said Ezzeddine Boutrif, Director of FAO's Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division.
WHO recommends that all infants should be fed exclusively with breast-milk for the first six months of life. No other liquid or food, not even water, is needed during this period. Thereafter, infants should receive adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years of age and beyond.
The countries should closely monitor their markets, following reports of findings of imported melamine-contaminated products in several countries over the last two weeks.
The two agencies highlighted that melamine-contaminated products could reach markets in other countries through both formal and informal trade. Getting information about the origin of a product, up to date information or, in some cases, testing for melamine contamination might be considered. If found contaminated, appropriate actions such as product recall and safe disposal should be taken, based on an assessment of the risk to human health.