The FDA has updated the recalled Cronobacter infant formula list with a full list of recalled products. In addition, they say that metabolic and other medical specialty infant formulas were produced at the same plant which made the recalled Similac PM 60/40, but those products were not recalled "because the FDA has determined that the risk of not having these specialty products available could significantly worsen underlying medical conditions. For many of these patients, the risk of life-threatening adverse events from restricted access to these critically needed products is likely greater than the risk from consuming products that have been produced at the facility." So far, at least four infants, who lived in Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio, have been diagnosed with Cronobacter … [Read more...]
FDA Removed a Salmonella Illness From Powdered Infant Formula Count
The FDA removed a Salmonella illness from the powdered infant formula case count, accord to an update issued for that agency's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. The Table itself does not contain this information; it was sent in an email. Salmonella has been removed from the Pathogen column in that outbreak investigation. There are still four infants in the case count linked to Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formulas. Those infants are from Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The two infants who lived in Ohio died, although the FDA is investigating to see if Cronobacter sakazakii contributed to those deaths. Two recalls have been issued for those infant formula products. The first, on February 17, 2022, was for Similac, EleCare, and Alimentum powdered infant formula with … [Read more...]
Cronobacter Complications: Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Sepsis, and Meningitis
Cronobacter complications can include necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, and meningitis. These conditions can be fatal for infants, and a worry for parents in light of the Cronobacter illnesses linked to powdered infant formula. What are the symptoms of these conditions and what should parents look for? Four Infants Sick with Cronobacter First, some background. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are four infants from Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio who were sickened with Cronobacter infections after they were allegedly fed powdered infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition at their Sturgis, Michigan plant. More reports of illness are being investigated. A recall has been issued for four types of that formula: Similac Pro Total Comfort, … [Read more...]
FDA Advice For Parents About Infant Formula Cronobacter Illnesses
This FDA advice for parents about infant formula and the Cronobacter illnesses linked to some types of powdered formula is offered to help parens navigate this difficult time. At least four infants, from Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas, are sick with Cronobacter sakazakii infections after consuming recalled Similac, EleCare, or Alimentum formula produced at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Michigan plant. Because infant formula is the sole source of nutrition for many newborns and infants, the FDA is offering help. The FDA is stating that one infant allegedly contracted a Salmonella infection after being fed this formula, but the CDC is not including this illness in the case count until they complete their investigation. The key to the recall is the lot codes and expiration date on the … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on Cronobacter Illnesses and Infant Formula
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...]
