Australian baby formula company Coco2 has issued a voluntary recall of its coconut milk-based infant formula after a 7NEWS investigation revealed labelling errors that may have caused serious health issues in babies.
The error relates to the incorrect scoop size printed on tins of the formula, which meant babies were receiving less nutrition than required. Coco2’s formula, marketed as a world-first coconut milk-based product, was found to be nutritionally inadequate when prepared using the faulty instructions.
Several parents reported their babies were losing weight and becoming ill after using the product. One father, who wished to remain anonymous, said his four-month-old son was hospitalised with severe malnutrition.
A medical report from doctors at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, obtained by 7NEWS, directly linked the child’s illness to the formula. “The Coco formula they were previously consuming had made an error in their scoop size and was not delivering adequate nutrition per feed — this is the likely cause for their significant weight loss and malnutrition,” the report states.
Coco2 acknowledged the labelling error, confirming that the scoop size printed on the tins was incorrect and did not deliver the nutritional value advertised. The company initially responded by placing corrective stickers on affected tins and emailing customers about the new feeding guide.
At the time, Coco2 said a recall was unnecessary, citing that most sales were online and that the product formula itself remained nutritionally safe and compliant.
However, following growing public concern and media pressure, the company has now reversed its stance and issued a voluntary recall.
Customers are advised to stop using the formula immediately and dispose of it safely. The product was sold at Go-Vita and Priority Health stores in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, as well as Priceline stores in Queensland and online nationally.
Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone concerned about their child’s health is urged to seek medical advice.
Some parents welcomed the recall as a positive step but expressed disappointment that it took so long. “It’s good that they’re finally doing something, but it should have happened sooner,” one parent told 7NEWS.
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