Gerber Baby Formula Recalled Due to Possible Bacteria Contamination

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

Gerber parent company Perrigo is recalling certain lots of Gerber infant formula due to a possible link to Cronobacter sakazakii contamination, according to a company announcement published March 17 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The voluntary recall impacts Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula that was manufactured in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18.

The Dublin-based company said that the recall is being made out of an abundance of caution. None of the products in stores or sold to customers have tested positive for the bacteria and no one has reported getting sick after eating the formula, according to the company’s statement.

Gerber Good Start infant formula is sold at retailers across the country.

Consumers who purchased the product after March 5, 2023, should check their formula’s Lot Codes and “use by” dates, which can be found on the bottom of the package. No other lot codes are impacted by this recall.

According to the FDA, these are the following lot codes 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

Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM 30.6 oz:

• 301357652Z – USE BY 14JUL2024
• 301457652Z – USE BY 15JUL2024
• 301557651Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

Gerber Good® Start® SootheProTM 19.4 oz:

• 301557652Z – USE BY 16JUL2024I

Any consumers who purchased products with matching codes should discontinue use and return it to stores for replacement.

To request a refund and learn more about the recall, contact the Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo at 1-800-777-7690 at anytime.

Customers with any health-related concerns should direct their inquiries to their health care providers.

Cronobacter Sakazakii

Cronobacter is a bacteria that is found naturally in the environment, according to the FDA. Cronobacter infections are rare, but they can be deadly for infants, particularly those who are “younger than two months old, premature, immunocompromised, or of low birthweight.”

According to the CDC, the bacteria is known to cause severe sepsis or meningitis in newborns. 

“The first symptoms of Cronobacter infection in infants are usually a fever, accompanied by poor feeding, excessive crying or very low energy,” NC Department of Health and Human Services noted. “If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you should notify your child’s medical provider and seek medical care for your child immediately.”

Perrigo said in the notice that the “quality and safety of our products is our highest priority” and every batch of infant formula is “tested to make certain it meets stringent nutritional, safety, quality and regulatory requirements.”

The recall comes just a month after an Enfamil baby formula recall due to concerns over the same kind of contamination.