U.S. FDA warns Nestle over baby formula

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators have warned Swiss food group Nestle over its Good Start Infant Formula with Iron after a sample failed to meet proper nutrient levels, according to a letter released on Tuesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration letter said its analysis of the formula collected in May did not meet minimum requirements for calcium and phosphorus, the agency said in a Nov. 27 letter to the company.

But Nestle, in a statement, said its own tested samples found the liquid concentrate baby formula contained the right amounts of the two nutrients as well as others.

"We are working with FDA to better understand how issues relating to analytical testing methods might explain the differences noted in these two nutrients," the company said.

In the letter, posted on the agency's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g6152d.htm , the FDA asked Nestle to tell the agency within 15 working days how the company planned to correct the problem.

The agency sends dozens of such warning letters each year. While most are resolved without penalty, the FDA can impose fines, confiscate product and impose other punishments.