Hong Kong’s Department of Health had received 762 enquiries about a batch of infant formula by noon on 26 August and referred 446 infants and young children to the Hospital Authority for examination and follow-up. Of those, 237 had completed clinical assessments, and no cases of lead poisoning had been found.
The case involves 800-gram tins of Dutch-made Royal Friso Prestin 1 formula. Macau authorities earlier said a batch might have exceeded the territory’s lead limit, and the affected product had also been distributed in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety recalled batch 1W07KPJ and collected market samples for testing. The samples were reported to have met Hong Kong’s statutory lead standard. The available information does not establish whether the batch tested in Macau and the Hong Kong-recalled batch were identical, or whether the two territories used the same standard.
The children who completed assessments were generally in good health. Some referred cases had not undergone further assessment because their parents decided against it, while a small number were still awaiting assessment.
The Department of Health’s hotline is expected to stop operating at 6pm on 28 August. It advises parents to seek advice from healthcare professionals if their child is unwell or they have concerns.