The Center for Food Safety of Hong Kong issued an alert here Tuesday, advising people not to consume certain batches of an infant formula manufactured by Vitagermine in France, due to their suspected contamination with Enterobacter sakazakii.

The product is called Babynat Organic Infant Milk. The manufacturer is recalling the product as the Republic of Korea authorities have found traces of the bacteria in the product.

The Center for Food Safety of Hong Kong said the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong. Investigations are underway.

Enterobacter sakazakii can be found in the environment, but it generally causes disease only in people with weakened immune systems. It can cause invasive infection such as bacteria in blood or meningitis.

The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization says reconstitution of powdered infant formula with water at least 70 degrees Celsius in temperature can significantly inactivate the bacteria.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)