Summary of Key Points
Consumers in Yunnan found brown particles in Feihe milk powder and filed a complaint. Feihe confirmed through professional testing that the particles were starch, ruling out the possibility of contamination during the production process (starch is not included in the formula, and there are multiple devices in place to prevent foreign objects). It is speculated that the starch came from an external source. On the day the incident was made public, Feihe’s stock price on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange rose slightly by 1.07% to HK$3.3.
1. What are these brown particles, and are they harmful to babies?
The 1-2 millimeter brown particles found by consumers were identified as starch using a “micro-infrared spectrometer” (which analyzes the chemical composition of substances) and a “starch-iodine color reaction” (starch turns blue when exposed to iodine). Starch itself is safe; the rice, noodles, and potatoes we eat all contain starch, and it does not pose any health risks. The “toxic foreign objects” that consumers were concerned about are actually common ingredients found in food, so there is no need to worry.
2. Why does Feihe claim it’s not their responsibility?
Feihe provided two key reasons:
- Starch is not in the formula: Starch is not added to the raw materials or formula of Feihe milk powder, so it cannot appear in the production process.
- Advanced production safety measures: The factory has multiple safety systems, such as filters to remove large particles, metal detectors, and X-ray machines to screen for small foreign objects. These measures make it highly unlikely that starch could have been introduced during production.
3. Where could the starch have come from?
It is suggested that the starch may have been introduced after the milk powder left the factory:
- Transportation/storage: For example, the packaging might have been damaged during transportation, allowing starch (from warehouse stocks or other goods) to enter.
- Sales: Poor storage conditions by distributors or scratches on the packaging at the shelf could lead to contamination.
- At home: If the package is not sealed properly after opening, starch from household ingredients (such as flour or cornstarch) might fall into the milk powder container. However, Feihe has not yet determined the exact source.
4. Why did the stock price rise after the incident?
Despite the news of foreign objects in the food product, Feihe’s stock price increased slightly. Possible reasons include:
- Timely and professional response: Feihe provided scientific test results quickly, proving that the particles were safe and ruling out production issues, which alleviated market concerns about product quality.
- Low impact of the issue: Since starch is harmless and not a systemic problem in production, investors did not expect this to significantly affect the brand’s reputation or sales.
- Market sentiment: The overall market conditions on that day may have been favorable, or Feihe’s previous performance expectations were positive, offsetting the negative news.
In summary, this incident seems more like a minor setback and did not touch on the key concern of production safety, resulting in a relatively mild market reaction.
5. What should consumers do if they encounter similar issues?
If you find foreign objects in your milk powder:
- Keep evidence: Do not dispose of the milk powder or the particles; take photos and videos, and keep the purchase receipt.
- File a complaint promptly: Contact the brand’s customer service or consumer protection authorities (e.g., 12315) for testing.
- Wait for official results: Do not rely on unverified online speculation; wait for the brand’s or third-party test reports.
Remember, in food safety cases, scientific testing is the ultimate determinant of the truth.