Infant Formula Added to Recall after a Second Baby Dies

One lot of Similac PM 60/40 Infant Formula has been added to a recent recall of powdered formula produced at a Michigan facility because it may be contaminated with bacteria. The Similac PM 60/40 added to the recall has a lot code of 27032K80 and 7032K800. It was distributed in the United States and Israel. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this is a specialty formula for certain infants who would benefit from lowered mineral intake.

The infant involved in the most recent case died. The FDA said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced one additional illness of Cronobacter sakazakii with exposure to powdered Infant Formula produced at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. Cronobacter infection may have been a contributing cause of death for this patient.

This investigation includes four reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections in infants and one complaint of a Salmonella Newport infection in an infant. All five illnesses resulted in hospitalization and Cronobacter may have contributed to death in two patients. The company also noted that all Infant Formula products are tested for Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella and other pathogens and they must test negative before any product is released.

Recently tested retained product samples were negative for Cronobacter and Salmonella. The cases are under investigation and at this time the cause of the infants’ Cronobacter sakazakii infection has not been determined. The FDA issued a warning saying people should not use three powdered Infant Formula brands while it investigates.