Brazil's Anvisa orders recall of Essentia Pharma infant formula

The Brazilian health regulator Anvisa issued an immediate nationwide recall of all batches of the infant formula marketed under the Essentia Pharma brand and produced by HKM Farmácia de Manipulação Ltda. The agency also suspended the product’s commercialization, distribution, manufacturing, advertising and use across the country. Published in the Diário Oficial da União on 8 May, the action was taken because the formula lacks the required sanitary registration and its labeling can mislead consumers into believing it is an authorized infant nutrition product. Anvisa stated there is no evidence that the product meets safety, composition, quality or nutritional standards, exposing infants and young children to potential health risks.