What is Cronobacter sakazakii? And why is it a danger in powdered infant formula? This pathogen is not well known but can cause serious illness and death in infants, especially babies who were premature, low birth weight, or have other health conditions or compromised immune systems. It is one of the costliest foodborne pathogens because of loss of life and serious health problems that can persist even when a patient recovers. The fatality rate in infants, even older infants, ranges from 40 to 80%. The cost of each case is estimated at $1,000,000, according to a study published in Front Microbiol. Despite the severity and high mortality rate of these infections, Cronobacter illnesses are not reportable conditions in the United States except in one state: Minnesota. That means these … [Read more...]
FDA Boosts Outreach Amid Baby Formula Cronobacter Concerns
As concerned parents scramble for information in the wake of a Cronobacter baby formula recall, the FDA is amplifying the methods consumers can use to ask questions or submit complaints. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer advisory about Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum baby formulas made at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. The advisory was prompted by three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of a Salmonella Newport infection in infants who had consumed these products. All four infants were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case, according to the FDA. “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 … [Read more...]
More Information About Similac Alimentum EleCare Formula Recall
More information about the Similac Alimentum EleCare formula recall has been provided by DC Health, including lookup information for parents that the FDA has also supplied. The formula is associated with three Cronobacter illnesses and one Salmonella illness in infants who live in Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio. All four babies were hospitalized, and one infant died: the FDA states that "Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case." The more detailed information in the DC Health release is that parents should not use "Similac Advance, Similac Sensitive, Similac Total Comfort, Similac for Spit Up, Alimentum, EleCare Infant, and EleCare Jr. powdered formula," as long as the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37, the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and … [Read more...]
FDA: Infant Cronobacter Illnesses and Listeria Case Count Increases
Infant Cronobacter illnesses and a Salmonella Newport illness, along with a case count increase in the yet unidentified Listeria monocytogenes outbreak are on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. In addition, investigations into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Simple Truth Power Greens packaged salad, the deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Dole packaged salads, and the deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Fresh Express packaged salads are still ongoing. Four infants have been diagnosed with either Cronobacter or Salmonella illnesses after allegedly being fed powdered infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition. All of the infants were fed this formula before they got sick. And all four infants were hospitalized; Cronobacter may have … [Read more...]
Infant Formula Cronobacter: What You Need to Know
Infant formula cronobacter is an issue that is not well known. Four infants are sick, three with Cronobacter infections and one with a Salmonella infection, according to the FDA, after being fed powdered infant formula. What is cronobacter and why is it an issue in this product? And how can you protect your child? The illnesses were announced on February 17, 2022 by the FDA. The infants live in Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The babies allegedly got sick from September 6, 2021 through January 11, 2022. One death has been reported but has not been confirmed to be "solely attributable" to Cronobacter infection, according to the notice. The FDA is advising parents not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas, if the first two digits of the codes on the can are 22 … [Read more...]
Similac, Alimentum and EleCare Baby Formula Recall
Abbott Nutrition has issued a baby formula recall for Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare after four illnesses were reported among infants who consumed them. The Cronobacter and Salmonella illnesses were reported from three states, MN (1), OH (1), TX (2). between September 6, 2021, and December 18, 2021 Three of the infants developed Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one of them contracted a Salmonella Newport infection. All were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cronobacter illnesses are rare but can be deadly for newborns because they can cause sepsis and meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For infants, symptoms of sepsis or meningitis include … [Read more...]
Similac, EleCare, Alimentum Investigated by FDA for Possible Link to Cronobacter, Salmonella Outbreak
Federal health officials are investigating a possible link between Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered instant baby formulas and a Cronobacter and Salmonella outbreak. All three products were made at Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, MI. The FDA is advising consumers to avoid buying or using these powdered infant formula products which have the following identification on the bottom of the can. the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating four illnesses among infants who consumed products made at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. The illnesses were … [Read more...]
Designed By Nature Powder Formulas Recalled For Mislabeling
Designed by Nature of California is recalling three types of Designed by Nature Powder Formulas because they are not intended to be used as infant formulas. There are no reports of injury or illness reported to the company to date in association with the use of these three products. The company is going to change their labeling to make it clear that these products cannot be used as infant formulas. They are advising parents and caregivers of infants 12 months old and young to not feed them to infants because they are deficient in multiple nutrients that are required in the makeup of infant formulas. In addition, the products have not been tested for the presence of Cronobacter, which is a pathogen that can be very dangerous for infants. All infant formula in the U.S. must be tested … [Read more...]
Update on Recall of Kirkland Signature Infant Formula For Cronobacter
The recall of Kirkland Signature President's Choice powdered infant formulas in Canada for possible Cronobacter contamination has been updated again. The first recall, issued on October 6, 2019, was for Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula. The second notice was to correctly identify the formula that may be contaminated, which was President's Choice Sensitive two lactose milk-based powdered infant formula. This new recall adds more information to the first two recalls. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. The recalled products, sold by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd, are Kirkland Signature brand Non-GMO Infant Formula for Babies Sensitive to Lactose. These products are sold in two sizes. The first size is 1.36 kg packages, with UPC number 0 96619 … [Read more...]
Incorrect President’s Choice Infant Formula Recalled For Cronobacter
The food recall warning issued on October 6, 2019 has been revised because it incorrectly identified the President's Choice infant formula that was contaminated with Cronobacter. The Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula is NOT potentially contaminated with cronobacter and is no longer subject to a food recall warning. Instead, results have found that some President's Choice brand Sensitive to Lactose milk-based powdered infant formula may be contaminated with Cronobacter. Loblaw companies is recalling this formula: President's Choice Sensitive to Lactose milk-based powdered infant formula, sold in 638 gram packages. The UPC number on the product is 0 60383 12994 1, and the codes on the product are EXP 2020 NO 05. This product was sold nationally and should not be consumed. … [Read more...]
