Israel Eyes Sabotage in Baby-Food Deaths

New York Post ^ | 11.12.2003 | Uri Dan and Andy Soltis

[NYC GOP Chick]

November 12, 2003 -- A German firm reversed itself yesterday and admitted its baby formula, linked to the deaths of two Israeli babies, lacked a key vitamin and Israel's intelligence agencies have launched a probe into the possibility of tampering.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Have you seen this one yet, S?

[netmilsmom]

Hummmmm? A German company screwing with Jewish baby food? Who'd a thunk it.

Isn't a Heinz (as in Mrs. John F. Kerry) company that made the formula?

[sarasota]

What was the "key vitamin" that was missing? And how does this omission cause death?

[prairiebreeze]

Isn't a Heinz (as in Mrs. John F. Kerry) company that made the formula?

Wow. I haven't been following this story closely enough. Hope some freeper can answer your question.

Prairie

[netmilsmom]

B1 was missing. The lack of B1 causes Rickets.

[netmilsmom]

Check this out...
http://cbs2.com/health/health_story_313020912.html

Theresa Heinz?

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

The Remedia-Scandal Questions
09:45 Nov 12, '03 / 17 Cheshvan 5764

The latest development in the Remedia scandal was reported early this afternoon: The State Prosecution in Germany is questioning a Humana worker on suspicion of manslaughter in the case of the tainted baby formula.

No further details were provided.

The scandal continues to leave unanswered questions in its wake. Two babies have died, one is in serious condition, and several more are still hospitalized after having being fed Remedia's German-made soy-based milk substitute baby formula. The formula has been shown to have little or no Vitamin B1 - despite the information stated on the label - apparently leading to the babies' contracting of the beriberi disease.

The German manufacturer, Humana, has taken the responsibility upon itself. The company said yesterday that it removed the B1 several months ago, in the mistaken assumption that the soy-base provides sufficient amounts of the vitamin. The questions that remain are:

* Did Remedia know about the removal of the B1? It was reported last night that a Remedia employee discovered and warned in August that the product had insufficient B1. If this is true, why did Remedia not take further action?

* Why did Humana make the change only for its Israeli product?

* Is the importer responsible for its product, as the Health Ministry claims, or is the outside manufacturer responsible, as Remedia claims?

* Remedia requested Humana several months ago to make a different change in the formula, one that affected the fat content. Remedia says it was a "minor change" that did not require Health Ministry approval, while Health Ministry officials say Remedia was obligated to inform them. Who is right?

The label stated that the product contained 385 micrograms of thiamine (Vitamin B1), while lab tests taken after the problem became known showed that it actually had less than 1/10th of that amount.

Heads of the Remedia Company held a press conference yesterday in which they expressed sincere sorrow for the deaths, but said with apparent relief that the Humana announcement had absolved them of all guilt.

[SJackson]

[SJackson]

B1 was missing. The lack of B1 causes Rickets.

The deaths were said to be from beriberi.

[lupie]

The Israeli sites have been saying the lack of B1 is causing beriberi. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=52660


I thought rickets was from the lack of vitamin D. But that is what I THINK I remember way back in Jr. High.. oh....about 35 yrs ago, so don't put too much stock in it. LOL

[lupie]

oops. SJackson just posted that article.

[netmilsmom]

Beriberi, right!!!!!

Oops sorry, it's been a few years since those nutrition classes!!!!!!!!

[netmilsmom]

No, you're right!
(maybe this is a sign that I should do some laundry instead of FReeping!)

[af_vet_1981]

Why did Humana make the change only for its Israeli product?

This is the most important question.

[lupie]

You just had to remind me my dryer has been going off for about 15 mins, didn't you?! ;)

[netmilsmom]

Do you have the buzzer that goes off every five minutes, too?
My daughter's uniform blouses are going to be a mess!

[joyful1]

This has been tried before...

murder of Jewish babies. Remember Pharoh and King Harod?

[lupie]

yep.. it will do that up to about 5 hrs, I think. It is amazing how long you can ignore it though except when it is during the night because your teenager decided to do a load at midnight. argh! Mine retumbles them for a few minutes before it beeps though.