CCTV finds nutrients lacking in postnatal drinks

A television news investigation found evidence that drinks claiming to help new mothers stay slim and healthy are less nutritious than advertised, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Saturday.

CCTV sent samples of two such postnatal drinks for testing at the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University. The results showed that they contained no amino acids and little protein or calcium, CCTV reported.

The drinks had less of some kinds of nutrients than simple bottled water. One unidentified brand of water claimed on its label to have 0.4 milligrams of calcium per 100 milliliters, according to the report.

By comparison, the postnatal drinks contained 0.16 milligrams and 0.06 milligrams of calcium per 100 milliliters, respectively.

The report pointed out that the postnatal drinks are far more expensive than bottled water. Both brands cost 31 yuan ($5.00) for a 600 milliliter bottle and 39 yuan for a 1,500 milliliter bottle, according to prices on their online shops.

"The drinks are very popular with our customers," said a customer service representative surnamed Zhou from a local company that provides the drinks. "It is one of our star products. Many customers come back to buy more because they feel they can improve their blood circulation and provide more concentrated nutrients than other food they eat."

Zhou said Chinese mothers pay special attention to the postnatal care as their bodies require a lot of nutrients to recover from giving birth.

Zhou said the product's label clearly states each bottle's nutritional content.

A press officer from the Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce did not know if the administration was the supervisor of postnatal products so it could not comment on the report.

After the CCTV broadcast, one of the brands that had a name that sounded similar to one of brands investigated in the report stated that all of its products met national standards.

It also said they would cooperate with the government if there was any question about the quality of its products.