More than 675,000 cans of baby formula are being recalled due to possible contamination.
Why Were The Baby Formula Products Recalled?
Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition, the company that makes nutrition products Enfamil and Nutramigen, announced the recall on Saturday, December 30. The news was shared via a press release published on Enfamil’s official website.
In the release, the company shared that it voluntarily chose to recall “select batches” of Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder.
The powder is reportedly made for infants allergic to cow’s milk. Additionally, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition noted that the products may have been contaminated with a bacteria known as Cronobacter sakazakii.
According to the release, the bacteria can cause “severe, life-threatening infections” such as sepsis or meningitis. The CDC reports that sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and can rapidly lead to organ failure, tissue damage, or death. Mayo Clinic adds that meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include fever, stiff neck, and headaches.
Infants infected with the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria may also experience poor feeding, per Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition’s press release. Additionally, symptoms include irritability, jaundice, temperature changes, and abnormal movements.
More Details Regarding Affected Products
According to the company’s press release, the recall affects two Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder sizes. This includes 12.6 and 19.8 oz containers manufactured in June 2023 and distributed through August.
The six batch codes for impacted products include ZL3FHG (12.6 oz cans); ZL3FMH (12.6 oz cans); ZL3FPE (12.6 oz cans); ZL3FQD (12.6 oz cans); ZL3FRW (19.8 oz cans); and ZL3FXJ (12.6 oz cans).
Additionally, impacted products have a UPC of 300871239418 or 300871239456 and a “Use By Date” of “1 Jan 2025.”
Today, FDA is alerting parents, caregivers, and health care providers that Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition has voluntarily recalled certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder products due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. pic.twitter.com/xANsLpA4pF
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) December 31, 2023
The release notes that Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition believes that “much, if not all” of the impacted bottles sold in the United States have been consumed.
However, the company notes that no illnesses or “adverse consumer reactions” have been reported at the time of their announcement. Additionally, Daily Mail reports that an investigation on formula at a facility in Michigan has not tested positive for the bacteria. However, batches shipped to overseas countries such as Israel have.
CBS News notes that all Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder batches were produced in the same facility.
What Consumers Should Do If They Own Impacted Products
According to the company’s press release, consumers are urged to check their Nutramigen products for corresponding identification. If they are to find that they have possibly contaminated formula, they are encouraged to discard it promptly.
Additionally, consumers can contact Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition for a full refund by calling 866-534-9986 or emailing consumer.relations@rb.com.
Furthermore, if parents have any questions regarding the recall or symptoms of infection, they are urged to contact a pediatrician.
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