Associated Press, "Wyeth Faces Recall Of Infant Formula In the Philippines"

          The Philippine government has ordered the recall of millions of cans of infant formula made by U.S.-based company Wyeth because they may have been contaminated at a Philippine warehouse during a storm last year, officials said Wednesday. The Bureau of Food and Drugs served the order on Tuesday, saying up to 4.3 million cans and cartons of Wyeth's powdered baby milk may have been affected. The order was made after verifying confidential information that the baby milk had been exposed to the elements during a powerful typhoon in the Philippines last year, but not immediately recalled. Wyeth, however, insisted the quality of the milk powder wasn't affected, and that only the packaging had been damaged in the storm.
          The recall order came the same day that the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether to allow health officials to impose stringent measures against what they say is aggressive advertising by foreign milk companies, which has many women believing infant formula is better than mother's milk. Joshua Ramos, deputy director of the Bureau of Food and Drugs, said up to 4.3 million units of the infant formulas Bonna, Bonakid, Bonamil, Promil, Promil Kid, Promil Gold and Progress Gold may have been contaminated in the storm. A unit is defined as being a can or a carton. However, Wyeth says only 2.5 million units were potentially affected. The bureau was working to clarify the discrepancy before deciding how many units to recall.
          Wyeth said in a statement that the company identified rusty spots on the outer rims of some cans during a routine inspection at a warehouse in July 2006 following typhoon Milanyo. It wasn't immediately clear when Wyeth alerted the government. The bureau conducted its own inspections in April and May this year, prior to issuing the recall.