Baby formula recalled over bacteria fears after baby dies

FDA says four children were hospitalised with illness, and one of them later died

PICTURE: (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Three types of baby formula made in the same factory have been recalled after four children became ill with bacterial infections and one of them later died.

The formulas recalled are Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, all of which are Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis products made in a factory in Michigan.

The FDA said there had been four children were hospitalised with illness, and one of them later died.

However, it stressed that there was not yet a proven link between the formulas that had been recalled and the instances of illness in the youngsters.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas: “As this is a product used as the sole source of nutrition for many of our nation’s newborns and infants, the FDA is deeply concerned about these reports of bacterial infections.”

The FDA explained: “As a result of the ongoing investigation, along with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local partners, the FDA is alerting consumers to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products produced at this facility. This is an ongoing investigation, and the firm is working with the FDA to initiate a voluntary recall of the potentially affected product.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three infants became ill with potential Cronobacter contamination and one became ill with Salmonella. One of the infants who became ill with Cronobacter died.

The CDC said: “Three brands of powdered infant formula were recalled on February 17, 2022, for possible Cronobacter contamination. FDA is investigating several consumer complaints about sick infants who were fed powdered formula.”

It added the product code for the formula: “First two digits are 22 through 37, and the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2”. The expiration date for the formula was written as 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.