Health authorities in New Caledonia and French Polynesia have ordered the suspension of the sale of a vitamin D supplement, Uvesterol D.
A pharmacist shows pipettes used to administer "Uvesterol D" (L) and "Uvesterol vitamin ADEC" (R) vitamin medications in a paharmacy in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on January 4, 2016, after French health authorities moved to suspend the sale of "Uvesterol D" following the death of a baby who suffocated after being given the liquid supplement. Photo: Mehdi FEDOUACH / AFP
The decision follows the death of a 10-day old infant in France.
Uvesterol D was developed by the Crinex laboratory and is used against vitamin D deficiencies in children up to five years old.
The authorities say the concern is about how the supplement was being administered and not the substance itself.
Parents are advised to seek medical advice on what type of supplement to choose.
