Recall following soy milk iodine levels

Bonsoy soy milk is being recalled after 10 people, including a child, suffered thyroid problems after drinking the product.

Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use the milk, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) said.

The milk, which is sold in New Zealand. has been recalled after the adults from New South Wales, aged between 29 - 47 and a child, reported health problems.

Subsequent testing found unusually high levels of iodine in the Australian-made product. The brand of soy milk was enriched with "Kombu" which is a seaweed product, FSANZ said.

The levels of iodine in the soy milk were at a level that was likely to exceed tolerable daily intakes by an adult.

Iodine was needed for the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. A healthy daily iodine intake is about 80 - 150 micrograms with a recommended safe upper limit of 1100 micrograms per day for adults, and from 200 micrograms for 1 - 3-year-olds to 900micrograms for 14-year-olds.

Daily consumption of a cup of Bonsoy soy milk could lead to a daily iodine intake of more than 7500 micrograms at the levels tested, FSANZ said.

Chronic consumption of high levels of iodine could affect the thyroid and cause people to feel generally unwell.

Anybody who had the soy milk product over a prolonged time and who felt generally unwell should consult their doctor.

- NZPA