Reckitt/Mead Johnson has issued a voluntary recall of more than 675,000 cans of its Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Powdered Infant Formula Products due to concerns about the potential risk of bacterial infection associated with the product.
As per a press release from the US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday, the Israeli Ministry of Health identified the presence of the Cronobacter sakazakii pathogen in the specialized formula often given to infants allergic to cow’s milk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that while Cronobacter bacteria naturally occurs in the environment, it can induce severe symptoms in infants under 1 year old, such as fever, lethargy, and seizures, posing a potential threat to their lives.
Batch numbers impacted by the recall are as follows: ZL3FHG, ZL3FMH, ZL3FPE, ZL3FQD, ZL3FRW, and ZL3FXJ.
According to the FDA, the affected products are available in either a 12.6-ounce or 19.8-ounce can, with a “use by date” of January 1, 2025, and can be identified by the universal product codes 300871239418 or 300871239456.
The governmental body advised consumers in possession of the impacted formula to either discontinue its use and dispose of it or reach out to Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition for a refund. A representative from the pediatric nutrition company based in New Jersey mentioned that the formula subject to the voluntary recall was produced in June 2023 and predominantly distributed from June to August 2023.
“When we were alerted in December to a potential for cross-contamination in a product sample outside the US, both Reckitt/Mead Johnson and the US FDA tested samples from the batch in question and all tests have come back negative. However, Reckitt/Mead Johnson understands the incredible responsibility we have in providing what is often the sole nutrition for infants, and there can be no short cuts for this vulnerable population – therefore, we chose to recall select batches of Nutramigen out of an abundance of caution.”
