The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 03/04/2008 11:12 AM | City
Restless about the issue of bacteria-contaminated formula milk, mothers in the capital are urging the Health Ministry to reveal the names of contaminated brands.
Mona, 33, said she worried about her baby's health and asked the government to disclose the brands.
"Since the issue of contaminated formula milk spread last week, I've been worried about my son's health," said Mona, a resident of Cilincing, East Jakarta.
"I hope the government discloses the brand names as soon as possible so the public, especially mothers, do not panic," she added.
Mona, an employee of a seafood exporting company, said she started to give her baby boy formula milk six months ago for practical reasons, mainly because she is a working mother.
"Although I worry about the impacts of contaminated milk, I still give my son formula because I have no choice," she said, adding that she had become more careful in preparing the milk.
The issue of bacteria-contaminated formula came into the spotlight last week after the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) announced findings that 22 percent of formula milk for infants on the market was infected with the bacteria Enterobacter sakazakii.
The Drug and Food Monitoring Agency (BPOM) said Friday that it was still studying 96 samples to verify the findings and expected to have the results within two weeks.
Rini, a 36-year-old mother, said the government should also inform the public of the effects of contaminated formula on children.
"It is so confusing. As a mother of a 2-year-old girl, I urge the government to tell us the brand names and the effects of long-term consumption of the contaminated formula. Does it cause autism? Does it cause brain inflammation?" said Rini, who lives in Bekasi.
To minimize the impacts of bacteria that might be in her daughter's formula, Rini pays more attention to the cleanliness of the milk bottle.
"I always boil the bottle before using it. To prepare the milk, I use hot water with a temperature of at least 70C. Thank God my girl is healthy," Rini said.
It is not only mothers who are demanding the government reveal the brand names, but also the National Commission for the Protection of Children (Komnas-PA).
The commission's chairman, Seto Mulyadi, urged the government to publicize the brands of the bacteria-contaminated formula and withdraw them from the market.
"I know the government is examining samples of formula milk, but I hope they will take all the products off the market during the investigation. It's about our children, our future generation."
"If they do not take action within two weeks, we will file a lawsuit against them," he said.
Komnas-PA said parents whose infants are suspected of being affected by the products should lodge complaints through its hotline service, at 021-87791818 and its children's service, at 021-8416159.
Seto suggested mothers breastfeed their infants who are under 12 months of age instead of giving them formula.
"Mothers should not rely on formula. Breastfeeding infants is safer," he said. (trw)
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