Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 8) — The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered all distributors, hospitals, retailers, pharmacies, and clinics to halt the distribution of Sangobion Kids 100 ml, a children’s iron and vitamin B-complex syrup.
The multivitamin syrup was found to contain amounts of ethylene glycol beyond the maximum allowable limit of 0.1% in one batch of the raw material propylene glycol used in the product.
Ethylene glycol is a clear, viscous liquid with a sweet taste. Once consumed, it is broken down by the body into toxic compounds.
“The potential risk of high doses of ethylene glycol may result to abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death in younger kids,” the FDA said in an advisory dated Dec. 21, 2022 but released to the public in January.
Ethylene glycol is used as an industrial compound in automotive antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluids, ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, and cosmetics.
Local government units and law enforcement agencies were also told to ensure that the product is no longer sold or made available by distributors.
The FDA added that parents or guardians whose children have consumed Sangobion and are showing any of the adverse reactions mentioned above should contact the National Poison Management and Control Center at (02) 8524 1078 or at +63 966 718 9904.
Last December, P&G Philippines recalled both faulty batches and unaffected batches of the children’s supplement after consulting with the FDA.
It was reported that only batches of Sangobion 100 ml sold in the Philippines were impacted and that other Sangobion products sold in the Philippines and in other countries were unaffected.
READ: P&G recalls Sangobion Kids multivitamins syrup
