Mar 18, 2000 - 01:21 AM

Nestle Recalling 2.5 Million Cans of Baby Formula

By David Ho

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - About 2.5 million cans of Nestle concentrated baby formula are being recalled because they may not have been properly sterilized.

Nestle of Glendale, Calif., recalled 33 batches of the formula after the company discovered that during processing, the liquid concentrate formula may not have reached high enough temperatures to be sterilized, the company and the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

No illnesses have been reported, and Nestle said it has tested the batches and found no problems.

"Our concern is the remote possibility that there could be a bacteria in there that could make a child sick when they drank it," said John Guzewich, a scientist with the FDA's Center for Food Safety. "Even though there's no evidence that that has happened, rather than taking a chance, they're removing it from the market."

He said anyone concerned about an illness should contact a doctor.

The recalled Nestle Carnation products are 13-ounce cans of Good Start, Follow-Up and Alsoy concentrate baby formula. The lower left side of the front label has three lines of text that reads: "Iron Fortified. Concentrated Liquid. Add Water."

The concentrate formula, after being mixed with water, is used as a supplement or replacement for breast milk and is given to infants less than a year old.

The baby formula was produced between Oct. 18, 1999, and March 13 of this year and was sold nationwide.

The FDA advises consumers to avoid feeding the products to infants and to return them to the stores where they were purchased for a refund or exchange.

Nestle urges consumers to call 1-800-510-7493 to see if they have purchased any of the recalled cans.

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-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), March 18, 2000