Gerber infant formula recalled over possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination
Perrigo Company plc is recalling certain lots of a Gerber infant formula because of possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination, according to a company announcement published Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recall impacts Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula that was manufactured between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18 at the company's Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin, facility.
According to the Friday notice, the impacted lots of infant formula are being recalled "out of an abundance of caution due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii."
None of the distributed product has tested positive for the bacteria, the company announcement said.
Infections caused by Cronobacter sakazakii are very rare, but they can be life-threatening in infants. Cronobacter sakazakii was same germ that sparked Abbott Nutrition's recall and following nationwide shortage of powdered infant formula last year.
No adverse effects related to the Gerber Good Start recall had been reported as of Friday.
USA TODAY reached out to Perrigo for statement on Monday. Perrigo acquired Nestlé's Gateway facility in Eau Claire, as well as the U.S. and Canadian rights to the Gerber Good Start infant formula brand, in November 2022.
What else is under recall? Check out USA TODAY's searchable recall database; cars, food, consumer goods and more.
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Was my infant formula impacted by the recall?
Gerber Good Start infant formula is sold at retailers across the country. Certain lots sold in 12.4-ounce, 30.6-ounce and 19.4-ounce cans are impacted by the recall.
Friday's recall notice says that U.S. consumers who purchased the formula after March 5 should check the product's lot code to see if it's under recall.
The full list of lot codes impacted by the recall can be found here.
"Use by" dates range from July 4, 2024 to July 16, 2024.
Consumers with the recalled formula can request refunds and get more information by calling Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo at 1-800-777-7690.
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What is Cronobacter sakazakii?
Cronobacter sakazakii is a germ that is found naturally in the environment, the CDC and the FDA note. Cronobacter sakazakii infections are rare, but they can lead to severe illness or death in infants.
The bacteria is known to cause severe, and often fatal, meningitis and sepsis in newborns, according to the CDC. It's estimated that there are about 18 cases of invasive Cronobacter sakazakii infections in the U.S. each year.
Most infections in infants have been tied to contaminated powered infant formula or "breast milk that was expressed using contaminated breast pump equipment," the CDC wrote in a report last month.
In addition to opened powered formula and breast pump parts, Cronobacter sakazakii has been also identified on home surfaces, various dry foods and, in rare cases, inside of unopened powdered formula and its manufacturing facilities.
What are safe substitutes for baby formula? Avoid homemade recipes.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gerber Good Start infant formula recall, possible bacteria presence
