Re: BONSOY RECALL !

[PhatBoy]

This was on the news, has anyone got more info on the dates of Bonsoy which should not be used or batch numbers??
Google Bonsoy recall. Just a very small article but not much help.

[Dennis]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

This was on the news, has anyone got more info on the dates of Bonsoy which should not be used or batch numbers??
Google Bonsoy recall. Just a very small article but not much help.

I heard this too (something to do with unusually high levels of iodine?) and as dates werent mentioned, I think the safest thing to do is take it all off the shelves at this time.

[bassway]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

This was on the news, has anyone got more info on the dates of Bonsoy which should not be used or batch numbers??
Google Bonsoy recall. Just a very small article but not much help.

I cant find much either.
Not even listed on the government sites but I guess they can be slow.
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/foodrecalls/currentconsumerlevelrecalls/

[doug81]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Sounded like a lot of iodine. 7500 micrograms per cup when the safe daily limit is about 1100 for an adult! Once you stop drinking it your levels return to normal though, so nothing too major...

[Olwen_Anderson]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

My review of the FDA media release indicated that Bonsoy did indeed contain excessive levels of iodine - 7,500mcg per cup. Consider that

one kelp tablet (1000mg) provides 240mcg
Saltwater fish contain 300 to 3000mcg per kilogram of flesh
iodised salt contains 400mcg of iodine in every teaspoon

Bonsoy does contain some sea vegetables, but not THAT much to warrant the high iodine reading. Looking forward to hearing from the Bonsoy people when they issue a media release. (They have a twitter feed if you want to keep an eye on whats happening that way.)

[bobzilla]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

This is not a case of one contaminated batch.
A friend of mine has been not well for years and nobody could figure out what was wrong.
She recently stopped drinking Bonsoy and appears to have recovered her joie de vivre.

[A_M]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

This is not a case of one contaminated batch.
A friend of mine has been not well for years and nobody could figure out what was wrong.
She recently stopped drinking Bonsoy and appears to have recovered her joie de vivre.

Many people use Soy thinking it is better for them... For many it is no where as good as some might think.. Further more; More is not always better....

Moderation....

Some get sick on cows milk; other get sick on Soy...

[nezzle]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Here is a link to the Food Standards Consumer information about the particular batches, etc. Also has the statement from Spiral Foods.

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/foodrecalls/currentconsumerlevelrecalls/bonsoysoymilkexcessi4653.cfm

Not a big drinker, but I am pretty bummed out - its my favourite tasting soymilk

[Andy]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Food Standards Website is down at the moment so here is the recall info from Google cache - Andy

National Product Recall – Bonsoy soy milk with very high levels of iodine

24 December 2009

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk. Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use this product.

This follows a cluster of nine adults aged from 29 to 47, and one child, who have recently presented in NSW with thyroid problems. These individuals all reported consuming Bonsoy soy milk. Subsequent testing of samples of Bonsoy soy milk revealed unusually high levels of iodine. This brand of soy milk is enriched with “Kombu” which is a seaweed product.

A consumer-level recall for the Bonsoy soy milk is being voluntarily instigated by the importer today.

The levels of iodine in the Bonsoy soy milk were at a level that is likely to exceed tolerable daily intakes for iodine when as little as 30ml (one eighth of a cup) is consumed per day by an adult.

Iodine is needed for the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. A healthy daily iodine intake is about 80–150 micrograms with a recommended safe upper limit of 1,100 micrograms per day for adults, and from 200 micrograms for 1-3 year olds to 900micrograms for 14 year-olds.

Daily consumption of a cup of Bonsoy soy milk could lead to a daily iodine intake of more than 7,500 micrograms at the levels tested. Chronic consumption of high levels of iodine may affect the thyroid and cause people to feel generally unwell. Anybody consuming Bonsoy soy milk product over a prolonged time who feels generally unwell should consult their doctor.

The body excretes iodine, so when a source of high iodine ceases, levels in the body will decrease over time.

The only soy milk product identified through testing to have high levels of iodine to date is Bonsoy soy milk.

Media contact: Lydia Buchtmann FSANZ 02 6271 2620 or 0401 714 265 or +61 2 6271 2620 or +61 401 714 265 from New Zealand

[Andy]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Bonsoy Soy Milk recall

24 December 2009



What is Iodine?

Iodine is a mineral and an essential nutrient for life. It’s found in the foods we eat, air we breathe and water we drink. It is also used as a disinfectant.

Why do we need iodine?

The thyroid, a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck, needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones, which are essential because they regulate our metabolism. In children, especially young children, including the developing foetus, thyroid hormones help regulate physical and mental development.

How does iodine enter and leave my body?

Most of the iodine that enters your body comes from the foods we consume, with smaller amounts coming from the water we drink and air we breathe. The iodine that enters your body goes to the thyroid where it is used to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine is generally excreted through the kidneys in urine although very small amounts may be excreted through sweat, faeces and breast milk. The time it takes your body to excrete half of the iodine you consumed in one day is approximately one month.

What foods contain iodine?

Iodine is found in seawater so any type of seafood provides a source, particularly seaweed (kelp). Some Australian table salt has iodine added to it and iodine is added to all bread except organic. Dairy products, eggs and some vegetables are also known to contain iodine. Milk usually has low levels of iodine.

How much iodine do we need?

Iodine is a trace mineral and so we need only very small amounts. These amounts are measured in micrograms (µg). Although only small amounts are needed, we need iodine regularly because we cannot store large amounts in the body.

The recommended daily intake (RDI) for iodine depends on your age and life stage:

* Younger children (1 to 8 years) – 90µg
* Older children (9 to 13 years, boys and girls) – 120µg
* Adolescents (14 to 18 years) – 150µg
* Men – 150µg
* Women – 150µg
* Pregnancy and breastfeeding –250 µg

What are the health effects?

Excessive iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism or, less commonly in adults, hypothyroidism. Babies appear more susceptible to hypothyroidism following excessive iodine exposure which can occur during pregnancy from the mother’s intake of iodine.

The commonest symptoms of hyperthyroidism are palpitations, fatigue and weight loss. Hypothyroidism is often insidious and, in mild cases, may only be detected on routine screening but it can cause fatigue, weight gain and mental clouding.

Is there a medical test to determine my level of iodine?

A simple blood test (the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH) is available to assess the health of the thyroid gland. Most physicians do not routinely test for iodine but, if necessary, can collect a urine sample to send to a laboratory for measurement of iodine. If there are abnormalities of thyroid function which are thought to be related to excessive iodine exposure, consultation with a specialist (endocrinologist) may be required.

[Andy]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Date Notified To FSANZ:
24 December 2009

Food Product:
Soy milk

Name of Product:
Bonsoy Soy Milk

Package Description & Size:
1L tetra pack

Best Before:
All dates up to and including Best Before 03.11.11

Australian Distribution:
National

Overseas Distribution:
New Zealand

Reason for Recall:
Iodine

Comments:
Bonsoy Soy Milk
1 litre
All dates up to and including Best Before 03.11.11

Spiral Foods Pty Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall of the above product as it has been found to contain unusually high levels of naturally occurring iodine. This non-metallic element may cause illness.

Consuming this product may constitute a health risk. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

The recall applies only to the above product with the nominated size and best before dates. No other Spiral Foods products are affected by this recall. Customers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Spiral Foods Pty Ltd is undertaking this voluntary recall due to its commitment to maintaining the highest possible product quality standards. We apologise for any inconvenience.

For further information about the product recall, please contact
Spiral Foods Pty Ltd
PO Box 21
Coburg VIC 3058
1300 303 794

[Andy]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

I have moved the Food Standards Australia content to the start of this post so everyone sees it.

[W_McCance]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

There is information on the bonsoy recall on the spiral foods website the link is:
http://www.spiralfoods.com.au/main_frame.html

There you will find up to what use by date may be harmfull

[Andy]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

Thanks for that wmacka.
the dates are the same as the Food Standards release (post #3 in this thread).

All dates up to and including Best Before 03.11.11

The fact its a recall of all dates does make it look like a long term recipe problem and not a manufacturing oops so the dates are not "that" important until they make a new batch.

It also appears that the Kombu seaweed is the ingredient cuprit (which you would assume will get dropped quickly).

I wonder if we will ever see BonSoy again or if the damage to the name is enough to cause re-branding when it returns?

[Dennis]

Re: BONSOY RECALL !

This is sad news. Being a late convert to Bonsoy I was delighted to have it on the shelves and use it for wet sales. Our customers always appreciated it.

What a lousy Christmas present for Spiral Foods. The staff Ive dealt with there have always been pleasant and helpful.

I wonder if we will ever see BonSoy again or if the damage to the name is enough to cause re-branding when it returns?

I hope they do make a comeback, though mud has a habit of sticking. In the meantime I, as do others, will have to find an alternative, and I guess a large percentage will never switch back.