The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating Cronobacter illnesses and infant formula. Four infants who were allegedly fed powdered infant formula made by Abbott Nutrition at their Sturgis, Michigan facility have been diagnosed with Cronobacter sakazakii infections. The babies live in Minnesota (1), Ohio (2), and Texas (1). The two babies who lived in Ohio have sadly died. Cronobacter infections may have contributed to those deaths; the FDA and CDC are investigating. The infants allegedly consumed formula that included Similac Sensitive, Similac Pro-total Comfort, Similac Advance, and Similac PM 60/40. Abbott Nutrition issued a recall of certain lots of the first three types of formula on February 17, 2022, and added one lot of Similac PM 60/40 to the … [Read more...]
Similac PM 60/40 Infant Formula Recalled For Possible Cronobacter
One lot of Similac PM 60/40 Infant Formula (Lot number 27032K80 for the individual cans and Lot number 27032K800 for the case) has been voluntarily recalled by Abbott Nutrition after the company was informed of the death of an infant who allegedly consumed this product. The formula was manufactured in the company's Sturgis, Michigan plant. That baby tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii. The case is under investigation since the cause of the infant's Cronobacter infection has not been determined. This product was not included in the original formula recall. No distributed product has tested positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, according to Abbott. And Abbott claims that recently tested product samples of Similar PM 60/40 infant formula with those lot numbers … [Read more...]
Another Infant Death Added to Similac Cronobacter Illnesses Case Count
Another infant death has been added to the Similac Cronobacter linked outbreak case count, bringing the total number of babies sickened from Cronobacter to four, with two deaths. An additional infant was reported to the FDA as being sickened with a Salmonella Newport infection, marking five total cases identified so far in this investigation. FDA reporting indicates that with this latest baby, an infant in Ohio, "Cronobacter infection may have been a contributing cause of death for this patient." The case count is now Minnesota (1), Ohio (2) and Texas (2). The original case count was one sick in Minnesota, one sick in Ohio (that infant died), and two sick in Texas. The baby identified in this new case reportedly consumed Abbott Nutrition's Similac PM 60/40 product with the lot … [Read more...]
Senators Ask Abbott Nutrition to Explain Cronobacter Infant Illnesses
Senators ask Abbott Nutrition to explain the Cronobacter and Salmonella illnesses associated with certain types of their Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formulas. A letter was sent to the chairman of the board by two Senators: Patty Murray (D-WA) and Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA). Senator Casey is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Children and Families in the Senate, and both Senators are members of the U.S. Senate Commitee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The Senators want to know why, when the company received complaints back in September 2021, they took public action in mid February 2022. The letter states, "It is completely unacceptable that manufacturing conditions allowed a contaminated product to reach babies, and that it took months for the company to … [Read more...]
Similac Cronobacter and Salmonella Illnesses Investigated by the CDC
Similac Cronobacter and Salmonella Newport illnesses are being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least four infants are ill after being fed the formula. Yesterday, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services reported that another infant was diagnosed with a Salmonella infection after ingesting the recalled powdered formula. That case is not included in the CDC total. The CDC does not recommend testing infants for Cronobacter infection unless they have symptoms of meningitis or sepsis, even if they consumed recalled formula. Early symptoms of Cronobacter include excessive crying, poor feeding, a fever, and very low energy. Symptoms of meningitis or sepsis include temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, and abnormal … [Read more...]
West Virginia Infant Has Salmonella After Ingesting Powdered Formula
A West Virginia infant has Salmonella after allegedly ingesting recalled powdered infant formula, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). This illness is in addition to the four infants the FDA reported sick with Cronobacter and Salmonella infections in association with certain recalled lots of Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum formula produced by Abbott Nutrition. This is the first case in that state of Salmonella in an infant as a result of consuming the formula. The other cases were from Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The FDA says that the products, which were produced at Abbott Nutrition's facility in Sturgis, Michigan, were distributed from September 6, 2021 to December 18, 2021. One infant death was reported, but the FDA says that death may … [Read more...]
What Are the Symptoms of a Cronobacter Sakazakii Infection?
What are the symptoms of a Cronobacter sakazakii infection? This relatively unknown pathogen can cause serious illness and death in infants, especially those who are fed powdered infant formula. While Cronobacter infections are rare, they can be deadly for infants and also can be serious among the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Because Cronobacer infections are not reportable conditions in any state except Minnesota, the number of these illnesses that occur every year are not known. This pathogen is not tracked because it is does not cause serious illness in the general population. The CDC usually receives reports of two to four infections in infants per year. But a 2002 FoodNet survey found that invasive Cronobacter infections occur at a rate of one per 100,000 … [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...]
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...]
Deadly Dole Salad Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Updated by CDC
The deadly Dole salad Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One more illness has been reported from Minnesota since the last update in December 2021. In all, 17 people in 13 states are sick. The patient case count by state is: Idaho (1), Iowa (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Nevada (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from August 16, 2014 to December 30, 2021. The patient age range is from 50 to 94 years. Of 15 people who gave information to public health officials, 13 have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported: one each from Michigan and Wisconsin. The actual number of people in an outbreak is … [Read more...]
