Reckitt Benckiser’s Mead Johnson Nutrition Recalls Baby Formula Over Possible Contamination

Reckitt Benckiser has issued a voluntary recall for Mead Johnson Nutrition brand's baby formula powder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) said that the health and nutrition firm decided to recall some batches of the said product due to possible bacterial contamination.

As per CNBC, the affected infant formula is being sold in the market as Nutramigen Powder. This infant formula is specially made for babies allergic to cow's milk. The recalled batches were produced in June and distributed to stores in the summer.

Recalled Batches of Nutramigen Powder

Reckitt Benckiser said that so far, it has not received any reports of illnesses or adverse effects related to the recalled Nutramigen Powder. However, the company is urging customers who have bought the milk formula to check the can to see if what they purchased is included in the batches that may have been contaminated.

The company said that the affected products have these batch numbers and their corresponding can sizes: ZL3FHG, 12.6 oz cans, ZL3FMH, 12.6 oz cans, ZL3FPE, 12.6 oz cans, ZL3FQD, 12.6 oz cans, ZL3FRW, 19.8 oz cans, and ZL3FXJ, 12.6 oz cans.

Adverse Effects of Bacterial Infection

Fox Business says the total number of the affected Nutramigen infant powder is about 675,030 cans. The FDA warned on Sunday, Dec. 31, that they may be contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii.

The National Food Administration further said that the milk formula was made at a production facility in Michigan. The bacteria in the product potentially cause severe infections such as meningitis and sepsis. The FDA listed jaundice, irritability, temperature change, poor feeding, trouble breathing, and unusual movements as the common symptoms of the infection.

Meanwhile, the announcement stressed, "No other U.S. distributed Nutramigen batches or other Reckitt products are impacted."

Photo by: Reckltt Press Release