Old milk made babies ill

Little Amy Cummins (left) and Gracie-Mai Wright with a carton of the milk their mothers allege gave them food poisoning

AN investigation has been launched after milk that was nine months out of date was sold at a Hathershaw shop — leaving two newborn babies seriously ill.

Emma Cummings, of Park Lane, and Kimberley Proctor, of Rosary Close, both in Fitton Hill, bought the ready-made formula milk from Hathershaw Mini Market.

Within hours of feeding, both babies were vomiting and in pain.

Emma (25) took five-week-old Amy to the Royal Oldham Hospital where she was kept in overnight. It was confirmed she had food poisoning.

She said: “Amy was born five weeks premature so she is smaller and weaker than other babies. She was really ill and kept throwing her legs up to her chest because her tummy pain was so bad. We were really worried.

“I think it’s disgusting that I was sold milk that was so far out of date and it’s scary to think what could have happened to Amy.”

Kimberley (25) said: “Gracie-Mai was really poorly. She is only four-weeks-old and was being sick and obviously in a lot of pain.

“I was fuming at the thought of what could have happened to her.”

Both women have contacted Oldham Council’s trading standards department who are now investigating.

Tony Allen, group manager for trading standards and licensing, said: “We are aware of this complaint and officers are currently investigating the matter. Although technically it is not an offence to sell food past its best before date, if the product should cause harm to any users then the trader responsible for selling it would have no defence in a claim for damages.

“Officers have taken food samples of the affected product and submitted them to the Public Analyst. We will expect to receive the outcome of the tests within the next two weeks.

“All of the affected product has been removed from the shelves at the premises in question.”

Hathershaw Mini Market was unavailable for comment.