Recalls Issued for Baby Products with Potentially Fatal Bacteria

By: David Donovan | Published: Jun 12, 2024

Four baby formula recalls reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been flagged for online shoppers as well as individuals in Texas.

Concerns about the manufacturing process, ambiguity in labeling, the nutritional value of the products, and the possibility of contamination with the dangerous bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii—which can cause fatal infections in infants—led to the four recalls for the year 2024.

FDA Recalls

Seven FDA recalls are still in effect as of January 1, 2023, including some extensions of previously issued recalls.

Advertisement
person feeding baby from feeding bottle

Unsplash user Rainier Ridao

A list of recalls, starting with the most recent action, can be found here below.

Advertisement

Crecelac and Farmalac Forumla

On May 24, Dairy Manufcaturers Inc. of Prosper, Texas, said its Crecelac and Farmalac newborn child formula items had “not been evaluated by [the] FDA to determine whether they meet U.S. food safety and nutritional standards.”

Advertisement
grayscale photo of baby feeding

Unsplash user Kelly Sikkema

The company informed consumers in a press release on June 3 and on the FDA’s website that C. sakazakii had been found in batches of Crecelac Infant 0-12 formula distributed only in Texas.

Bacteria Effect

According to the release, “Cronobacter is a bacterium that can cause bloodstream and central nervous system infections, such as sepsis and meningitis, respectively,”

Advertisement
Bacteria in a petri dish under a microscope

Unsplash user Michael Schiffer

It went on to state: “Complications from Cronobacter infection in infants can include brain abscess, developmental delays, motor impairments, and death.”

Symptoms of Cronobacter

Poor feeding, irritability, changes in temperature, jaundice, grunting breaths, and abnormal body movements are some of the symptoms.

Advertisement
a woman feeding a baby with a bottle of milk

Unsplash user Lucy Wolski

The 12.4-ounce Crecelac containers with the UPC code 8 50042 40847 6 were primarily distributed in March, April, and May.

Products Flagged

The formulas listed will expire in August 2025. Consumption of these products has not been associated with any injuries or adverse reactions that have been reported.

baby yawning in swaddling blanket with blanket behind

Unsplash user Tim Bish

The product should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund as soon as possible and to immediately stop use. Buyers can contact the organization at 1-972-347-2341.

Advertisement

Mt. Capra

On May 10, Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, voluntarily recalled 1,506 boxes of the product. The FDA was concerned that the formula “does not meet all FDA requirements for infant formula,”

Child feeding a calf from a bottle in a stable

X user mtcapra

They went on to say the product: “does not provide sufficient nutrition when used as an infant formula,” and “the storage instructions may be insufficient for the product.” The reason for this was that the FDA was concerned about the product.

Advertisement

FDA Advisory

Between May 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024, the FDA advises consumers to stop using the product, which is available for purchase online and in one Chehalis retail location.

Child holding a baby goat in a field with trees in the background.

X user mtcapra

Mt. Capra was informed by the FDA that one infant had an “adverse event report of anemia.” However, it was later discovered that the recipe kit was used in conjunction with the substitution of some of the ingredients for those of a different brand of multivitamin.

Advertisement

Sammy’s Milk

On April 18, Newport Beach, California-based Sammy’s Milk was approached by the FDA to give an advance notice against the use of its Goat Milk Little Toddler Formula as a baby formula. 

Baby drinking from a bottle in a high chair with milk next to the high chair

X user SammysMilk

This was due to “identified representations on the Sammy’s Milk website and social media platforms that could be interpreted to indicate the product is safe for infants to consume.”

Advertisement

Advisory for Return

“As clearly indicated on its packaging and website,” the company states, “the product is specifically formulated for children between the ages of 12 and 36 months.” 

Baby milk formula with a bottle on a high chair and playing blocks with a bib on the high chair

X user SammysMilk

The product has a lot number SD348, is only available online, and has a “Best by” date of August 2025. For more information, customers can send an email to [email protected].

Advertisement

Nutramigen Powder

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition’s Nutramigen Powder 12.6-ounce and 19.8-ounce containers of Nutramigen Powder were recalled by Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition on December 30, 2023, due to concerns about C. sakazakii contamination.

Baby in a shopping trolley in an aisle with products on either side

Unsplash user Jomjakkapat Parrueng

Nutramigen was produced in June 2023 and distributed primarily in June, July, and August in 12.6- and 19.8-ounce containers. The affected products have a “use by” date of January 1, 2025 and the UPC codes 300871239418 or 300871239456.

Advertisement

Other Impacted Formulas

On March 17, the Perrigo Company announced a recall of Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula due to the possibility of C. sakazakii contamination.

clear plastic feeding bottles on red table

Unsplash user Jaye Haych

From January 2, 2023, to January 18, 2023, goods were produced at the Gateway manufacturing facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

On February 20, 2023, the FDA declared a review given that day by Reckitt for 12.9-ounce holders of its Enfamil ProSobee Just Plant-Based Baby Recipe as a result of possible C. sakazakii tainting.

Advertisement