From: FDA-DIV. OF FED-STATE RELATIONS [mailto:DFSR@ORA.FDA.GOV]
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 8:11 PM
To: Sperandio, Linda (DPH)
Subject: CHINESE INFANT FORMULA


NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & MARKETS
Nathan L. Rudgers, Commissioner
CONTACT: FOR RELEASE:
Jessica Chittenden Immediately, Friday 518-457-3136
July 9, 2004
STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ISSUES ALERT ON GUAN WEI YUAN POWDERED
FORMULA

State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers alerted consumers today that certain Guan Wei Yuan powdered formulas sampled by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets do not contain the amounts of protein and other essential ingredients as indicated on the label.

Consumers are advised that on-going and exclusive consumption of these formulas could have severe health consequences, particularly in newborn infants, pre-mature infants or others with weakened immune systems. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets has received no reports of illness to date in connection with this product.

Analysis of certain Guan Wei Yuan powdered formulas by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food laboratory found the infant formula to contain less than 1/7 of the federally required minimal amount of protein per serving, approximately 1/4 the required amount of fat and only
minute amounts of declared calcium and magnesium.  The products are also misbranded under New York State law because the nutritional information on the label is not in English. The Department has identified seven different cans of Guan Wei Yuan powdered formulas, all of which are 900-gram cans. The first six products' cans are painted light purple, while the seventh product is in a yellow-painted can. Most of the information on the cans of powdered formula is in Chinese.

The product name, which is featured on the front of the can, was translated as follows.

1. Guan Wei Yuan "Baby Formula Milk Powder." The product name is in a yellow cloud and the can also has a large number "1" on the front with the image of a baby's bottle.

2. Guan Wei Yuan "Baby Formula Milk Powder." The product name is in a red cloud and the can also has a large number "2" on the front with two blue silhouettes of babies.

3. Guan Wei Yuan "Baby Formula Milk Powder." The product name is in a blue cloud and the can also has a large number "3" on the front with an image two children playing.

4. Guan Wei Yuan "Grown Up Formula Milk Powder." The product name is in a green cloud and the can also has a picture of a sun rise with sunflowers on the front.

5. Guan Wei Yuan "Strengthen Blood & Bone Milk Powder." The can also has a round picture of a cow being milked on the front.

6. Guan Wei Yuan "Middle Old Age Milk Powder." The can also has a square picture of milk being poured into a glass.

7. Guan Wei Yuan "Full Cream Added Calcium Milk Powder." This is the product that is sold in the yellow can that also has the image of milk being poured on the can.  The first six products do have an English statement on the front of the can that reads "choiceness raw material produced meticulous pleasant to the palate give first choose treasure."Guan Wei Yuan powdered formulas were placed under a food quarantine by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at Asian Mall, 118 Baxter Street, New York, New York 10013. An investigation into the source and distribution of
these products is continuing.

PHOTOGRAPH: A photograph of all seven Guan Wei Yuan powdered formula
products can be obtained by calling Jessica Chittenden at 518-457-3136 or
emailing her at jessica.chittenden@agmkt.state.ny.us

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