Gerber Baby Formula Potentially Contaminated With Bacteria Distributed to Stores Across US Despite Recall: FDA

A photo of the powdered infant formula impacted by the voluntary recall. (Courtesy of FDA)

Gerber baby formula that was recalled in March due to a possible link to Cronobacter sakazakii contamination was distributed to multiple retailers even after the initial recall notice was published, federal health officials said on May 14.

Gerber parent company Perrigo on March 17 announced the voluntary recall of certain lots of Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula that was manufactured in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18.

At the time, the Dublin-based company said the product recall was being conducted “out of an abundance of caution” due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, but that none of the products distributed to stores had tested positive for the presence of the bacteria and that no adverse events had been reported.

It noted that the products being recalled were sold at retailers across the United States and urged customers who purchased the product after March 5, 2023, to stop using the product and dispose of it.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Sunday that Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.—a wholesaler that distributes to independently owned supermarkets across more than 3,100 locations—is releasing an additional notice due to certain lots of the recalled product being distributed to its Nashville division retailers after the initial recall notice was announced.

According to the FDA, the recalled product was distributed from its Nashville division only to independent retailers located in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Affected Products

Retailers included Belle Foods, Cash Saver, Food Giant, Food World, Price Cutter, Quality Foods, Stop to Save, and dozens more.

According to the FDA, the following lot codes were affected by the recall:

Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM 12.4 oz:

• 300357651Z—USE BY 04JUL2024
• 300457651Z—USE BY 05JUL2024
• 300557651Z—USE BY 06JUL2024
• 300557652Z—USE BY 06JUL2024
• 300757651Z—USE BY 08JUL2024
• 300857651Z—USE BY 09JUL2024
• 301057651Z—USE BY 11JUL2024
• 301057652Z—USE BY 11JUL2024
• 301157651Z —USE BY 12JUL2024

Consumers who purchased the product can check the formula’s Lot Codes and “use by” dates, which can be found at the bottom of the package.

“Any consumers who purchased product with matching codes should discontinue use and dispose of the product,” the FDA said.

Consumers can also request a refund for impacted products by contacting the Gerber Parent Resource Center, the agency added.

What Is Cronobacter Sakazakii?

Cronobacter sakazakii is a germ found naturally in the environment that can live in various dry foods, such as powdered infant formula and powdered milk as well as in various starches and herbal teas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although rare, Cronobacter infections can become life-threatening and can cause severe sepsis or meningitis in infants, particularly those who are born prematurely or who have weakened immune systems.

Symptoms in infants usually begin with a fever and a lack of hunger along with excessive crying, or very low energy, according to the CDC. In some cases, infants may have seizures.

Cronobacter infections in infants less than 12 months old are often linked to powdered infant formula, according to the CDC, which says it receives reports of about two to four cases of Cronobacter illness in infants annually. However, the health agency noted that this figure may be higher because the majority of hospitals and laboratories are not required to report Cronobacter infections to health departments.

The latest recall comes after nutrition product maker Reckitt voluntarily recalled 145,000 cans of baby formula in February due to possible cross-contamination with the potentially deadly bacteria.

Last year, major U.S. formula manufacturer Abbott Laboratories recalled all of its products that were made at its Michigan plant amid an investigation into rare bacterial infections that were potentially linked to the contamination, which led to several deaths.

However, the investigation was unable to determine if there was a definitive connection between the illnesses and Abbott’s products.

Abbott maintains that none of the baby formula it distributed tested positive for Cronobacter, but the recall and investigation triggered a temporary shortage of baby formula.