UPDATE 12/27 : Mead Johnson, the Enfamil manufacturer, said that a round of retests on the batch of infant formula in questions showed no traces of Cronobacter. We’re still waiting for the FDA and CDC investigation results. 

“These new results reaffirm the testing conducted before the batch was made available to retailers and consumers,” said the company’s press release. “Based on both sets of tests, Mead Johnson can say with confidence that Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn formula, like every infant formula the company produces, is safe.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tests are still under investigation. Benjamin Silk, detective with the CDC, said that the infant who passed away consumed several types of formula, all of which are being tested. Silk didn’t comment on informing consumers of the names of the formulas in question. 

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Walmart pulled a batch of baby formula from its shelves nationwide after a 10-day-old Missouri boy died of a bacterial infection.

News broke late Wednesday that the store was putting a stop-sell on a lot of Enfamil Newborn Powder by Mead Johnson Nutrition in over 3,000 of its stores.

“There are others Enfamil products on our shelves,” said Dianna Gee, spokesperson for Walmart. “We only pulled this specific lot because we know there is an investigation and we want to be responsible.”

At this time, neither Walmart, Mead Johnson or the government has issued a recall for the formula.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration are now investigating the formula, running tests for Cronobacter sakazakii,  the bacteria that sickened the Missouri boy, Avery Cornett. They are testing  open container samples, closed container samples and water samples from the boy’s home. Results should be ready around Dec. 28.

Gee stressed that this is not a recall. “We aren’t saying it isn’t safe,” she said. But Walmart will hold the product until the FDA and CDC conclude their tests.

“We want our customers to trust us and we want them to trust us by letting them know that we take this very seriously,” added Gee.
Siobhan DeLancey, team leader for food, veterinary and cosmetic products in the FDA Office of Public Affairs, said there are a handful of sicknesses from this bacterium every year, particularly among infants since their immune systems are so new.
“The big thing is that this kind of bacterium is everywhere in the environment,” said DeLancey. “It’s very ubiquitous.”
The FDA is not aware of any other sicknesses associated with this lot of Enfamil.

During this time, customers can return Enfamil to Walmart for a refund or exchange.

It is unclear if the formula or an outside source sickened Cornett. Mead Johnson said in a Huffington Post article that the lot in question, ZP1K7G, tested negative for the bacterium before it was shipped.

Although Walmart is accepting returns, it is not at this time classifying the event as a “recall.” If and when this turns into a recall, we’ll be the first to let you know, so check our Twitter feed regularly and visit our blog again soon.

 

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