This was the second time i encountered it. The first, i thought it was from my water. This time round, the water was clear. At first i thought ants have entered into my milk tin. But after taking them out.. they are hard and metal like.. Not ants...
Here are the photos that i have taken
Here are some close up after i have fished out the particles with a spoon.
You can see 2 bigger black seems like metallic pieces and several other naked eyes visible pieces.
I went online to google about Similac recall and black particles in Similac Milk. Apparently, a mummy in USA faced with the same situation posted a warning in babycenter in August 2009.
Also on Similac, in Sep 2010, there was a Similac Recall in the USA dues to some beetles found near the milk production area. You can read more about the similac recall here.
I have already emailed Abbott and AVA about it. Will see if there are any reply from either of the party. [UPDATE 18th Aug 2011: Abbott has contacted me. Will be getting the milk to their lab for testing. Seems like it is scorched particles that is resulted from the manufacturing process.]
[UPDATE 19th Aug 2011: AVA contacted me to follow up on my feedback.
1. Same reason as Abbott gave me that it may be due to the manufacturing process that will result in some scorched particles
2. They do not need to get a sample from me to run a separate test. They have already spoken to Abbott and Abbott is suppose to provide them with the test results within a month.
3. Abbott have already collected the tin of milk powder and it is currently on its way to Ireland for the manufacturing plant to investigate.
Well seems like I am not able to get AVA to perform an independent review, I will have to trust the integrity of Abbott and its staff to provide us with an accurate and non-bias report.
Will update once i have the results. =D
]
Here is how the milk tin look like
The batch and manufacturing date (02554NT MFG 21 FEB 2011), if you are also giving Similac Gain IQ, check if you are having the same batch number... Have to let your milk settle first before giving it to your precious little one.
UPDATES!
A nice lady for Abbott called to provide some possible explanation of the black particles.
1. Scorched particles:
Apparently, there will be some scorched particles as a result of the manufacturing process the article below has some information about it.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7272542_usda-particle-standard-dry-milk.html
2. Or black particles of lactose emulsion formed after high temperature baking caramel particles.
I found an article about this too. you can read more about it here
http://mybabyformulastore.com/united-states-found-little-black-pigment-powder-particles-miso-milk-food-industry/
Whatever is the case, they will update me once the get the milk powder to the lab for testing.
For now, if you are having some concern, just use coffee filter to filter the milk. For me, i just bought a new tin =D
[Update 19th Aug 2011 : Change title from "Black Metal Like Particles Found in Similac Gain IQ" to just "Milk Powder" because it seems like this may happen to ANY other milk powder. ]
