Due to potential problems with contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii, Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) has decided to recall its baby formula, Nutramigen Powder across the U.S.Announced on December 30, 2023, this voluntary recall is specific to the 12.6 oz and 19.8 oz containers of the formula distributed in and around the United States from July to August 2023.
The impetus for this recall lies in the discovery of Cronobacter sakazakii in select samples outside of the United States. It should be noted that the recall does not apply to any infant or baby formulas within or outside the U.S., all products sold in the country were rigorously tested and were found to be contaminated with Cronobacter. No testing results yielded a positive for Cronobacter contamination.
Crucially, there have been no reported adverse effects resulting from the consumption of Nutramigen Powder. Nevertheless, consumers should be aware that Cronobacter bacteria can lead to severe complications such as sepsis or meningitis infections, which, in turn, can be life-threatening.
The Nutramigen Powder infant formula batches subject to recall were manufactured by Reckitt/Mead Johnson of Parsippanny, N.J., and encompass six specific batches. The affected containers were marketed under the names “Enfamil Nutramigen with Enflora LGG” and “Enfamil Nutramigen with probiotic LGG” and were over 12oz and over 19oz containers. The production date for these recalled items is June 2023, with corresponding UPC Codes 300871239418 and/or 300871239456.
Reckitt Benckiser Group’s (RKT.L) Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) is executing this voluntary recall in response to the potential contamination identified in Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria during product sampling outside the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has corroborated that extensive testing conducted by MJN on Nutramigen Powder yielded negative results for the bacteria. These containers were distributed in the summer of 2023, between June to August after being manufactured in June of the same year.
Despite the limited availability of the remaining stock of this particular infant formula, the FDA assures that the recalled products in the United States are believed to have been largely consumed. Thankfully, no reports of illnesses or adverse events related to the recalled batches have surfaced to date.
All affected batches are being urged to be disposed of even if some of the recalled products bear “Use By Date” of “1 Jan 2025” marks. Reckitt emphasizes that no other U.S.-distributed Nutramigen batches or other products from their portfolio are impacted by this recall.
While this voluntary recall is a proactive measure to ensure consumer safety, the absence of reported adverse effects and the rigorous testing conducted on U.S.-sold lots provide a degree of reassurance to concerned consumers.
