If you're lucky, the first time you ever heard the word "Cronobacter" was on a news segment last week. The foodborne pathogen with a name that sounds like a sci-fi villain doesn't make headlines often. And that's good. Because Cronobacter is only known for one thing - causing severe, often fatal, illness in newborn babies. And its main vehicle of transmission is powdered infant formula. Last week, federal health officials announced that they are investigating a possible link between Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered baby formulas and the illnesses of four infants who consumed them. Three of the infants, in Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas, developed Cronobacter infections. One of them, another infant in Texas, developed a Salmonella infection. All four of the babies were … [Read more...]
What is Cronobacter Sakazakii? And Why is it a Danger in Infant Formula?
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...]
Recalled Baby Formula Still on Store Shelves
A major baby formula recall for Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum was issued five days ago, so why are these products still on store shelves? On Friday, February 17, Abbott Nutrition 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), and TX (2). All four babies were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After Food Poisoning Bulletin received reports that consumers were still finding recalled baby formula on store shelves, we went out this morning and took a look ourselves. Five days after the recall, we found recalled … [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...]
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...]
FDA Petitioned to Regulate Novel Nanomaterials in Infant Formula
The Center for Food Safety, along with the International Center for Technology Assessment, has formerly petitioned the FDA to regulate novel nanomaterials in infant formula. Jaydee Hanson, policy director at Center for Food Safety, said in a statement, "FDA has known for five years that many U.S. infant formulas contain nanochemical additives that the agency has not approved. It is time for FDA to act to make infant formula safe from these toxic additives. Europe keeps them out of infant formula—we should too." Nanomaterials, which are very tiny particles that have at least one dimension less than approximately 100 nanometers, can be engineered or can exist in nature. The National Institute of Environmental Health Services states, "While engineered nanomaterials provide great … [Read more...]
Angel Formula Infant Formula Recalled For Possible Health Risks
Angel Formula Infant Formula is being recalled for possible health risks because it does not meet specific nutrition and labeling requirements the FDA has established for that type of product. It is marketed as infant formula, which has very specific requirements for nutrients. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. This product is a powdered "mylk" (milk) alternative. The recalling firm is Moor Herbs of Detroit, Michigan. The FDA tested the product and found that the iron, sodium, and potassium content was well over the maximum amounts allowed for this type of formula. That could lead to iron overload or electrolyte imbalance. In addition, the formula did not have vitamin D. A deficiency in that vitamin can lead to … [Read more...]
