Vietnam orders review, recall of French Novalac infant formula batches

Vietnam's Ministry of Health has ordered a review and recall of specific batches of Novalac infant formula, following a voluntary recall by French authorities. The product in question is Allernova AR infant formula, produced by Laboratoires Novalac.

The French recall was prompted by 11 reports of adverse digestive effects in infants, such as diarrhea and vomiting, detected through national surveillance systems. One infant required hospitalization after testing positive for Adenovirus in stool samples, though health officials noted this virus is not typically transmitted through breast milk. The French authorities also confirmed the issue is unrelated to recent international warnings about cereulide toxins in infant formula.

In Vietnam, the Food Safety Department is instructing provincial health departments to urgently review product registrations and work with distributors. Companies are required to inform retailers and consumers to cease using and return the affected batches. The department also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade's e-commerce department to instruct online marketplaces to halt sales of these batches and remove related product information.