The maker of Enfamil announced the recall of approximately 145,000 boxes of infant formula due to the risk of cross-contamination with bacteria that can cause serious illness or death.
Reckitt, a UK-based consumer health and nutrition company, said it was voluntarily recalling two lots of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula, but that no illnesses or “adverse events” were reported. The company said it has identified the cause of the potential Cronobacter contamination and is no longer using the supplier.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cronobacter infections in babies can be fatal. The bacteria is found naturally in soil, water and other parts of the environment and can live in dry foods, such as powdered milk, herbal teas, starches and baby formula.
Almost all previous outbreaks in the United States have been linked to powdered baby formula, which is not subjected to the same high temperatures used to kill germs in many other foods. Cronobacter usually causes fever in babies and can sometimes lead to dangerous blood infections or inflammation of the brain.
Last year a plant Abbott Nutrition which had to close for months due to contamination concerns has led to a nationwide shortage of infant formula.
Abbott recalled several batches of three powdered infant formulas from the factory after federal authorities began investigating rare bacterial infections in four formula-fed infants. Two of the babies died. But it is not certain that the bacterium comes from the plant; the strains found on the plant did not match the two available samples from the babies.
For the most recent recall, consumers should check their formula packaging to make sure they have not purchased the recalled product. The product is Enfamil ProSobee Powder, 12.9 ounce box with a UPC number of 300871214415; global lot number of ZL2HZF or ZL2HZZ; batch number 0670975 or 0670979 and expiry date of March 1, 2024.
Consumers can return the product to where it was purchased for a full refund. They can also call Reckit at 1-800-479-0551 or email the company at consumer.relations@rb.com.