The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Sunday a voluntary recall of certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder products due to possible bacteria contamination.
The FDA alerted "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."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cronobacter infections are often very serious or deadly for babies who are younger than 2 months, who were born prematurely or who have weakened immune systems.
Cronobacter sakazakii is a germ found naturally in the environment that can live in dry foods including powdered infant formula and powdered milk, the CDC says.
As of Sunday, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall of the 675,030 cans of product. The FDA stated it is likely that most of the product that was distributed in the United States has already been consumed.
The FDA said formula with the following batch codes should be thrown away: 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); ZL3FXJ (12.6 oz. cans). The products have a UPC Code of 300871239418 or 300871239456 and "Use By Date" of January 1, 2025.
The powdered formula can be purchased at most major U.S. grocery stores and pharmacies. Concerned parents may contact Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition at 866-534-9986 or by email at consumer.relations@rb.com.
Newsweek reached out to the FDA and Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition via email for additional comment about the recall.
According to a press release from the FDA, Nutramigen is a hypoallergenic infant formula used by infants with allergies to cow's milk. The FDA encourages parents and caregivers to work with their child's health care provider to find a substitute. The FDA added that the recall should not have a major impact on the U.S. supply and availability of other powdered infant formulas.
According to the FDA, the positive test occurred after the Israeli Ministry of Health notified the FDA on December 14 that the formula produced at the Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition facility in Zeeland, Michigan, and exported from the U.S., had initially tested positive for Cronobacterspecies. The product was tested at the Israeli border during routine sampling.
On Thursday, the FDA received the results from Israeli health officials, which confirmed a finding of Cronobacter sakazakii.
According to a company announcement on the FDA website by Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition, as of Sunday, "all product tested by the company was confirmed negative for contaminants, no illnesses or adverse consumer reactions have been reported to date and no Nutramigen liquid formulas or any other Reckitt nutrition products are impacted."
The FDA said it takes "numerous steps to enhance the safety of powdered infant formula through the development of a Cronobacter prevention strategy, enhanced inspectional activities, increased engagement with the infant formula industry, and by pursuing regulatory action when appropriate."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Gabe Whisnant is Deputy Weekend Editor at Newsweek based in South Carolina. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he directed ... Read more
