Another Infant Formula Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Concerns

TUESDAY, Feb. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Another brand of baby formula is a facing a recall.

Formula manufacturer Reckitt recalled 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee formula on Monday because of possible cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria.

The safety issue “was linked to a material from a third party,” the company noted.

All tests have been negative for the bacteria, but the recall was announced out of an abundance of caution. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the formula.

The company said it has taken “all appropriate corrective actions, including no longer sourcing this material from the supplier.”

The recall is for 12.9-ounce cans of formula manufactured between August and September 2022 with a use-by date of March 1, 2024. The cans have the codes ZL2HZF or ZL2HZZ on the bottom.

Cans were shipped throughout the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Customers should throw out these cans if they have them or return them to the stores where they were purchased for a refund, CNN reported.

The recall does not affect any other ProSobee or Reckitt products.

Last year, four infants were sickened and two died in three states related to Cronobacter illness.

Although all the infants had consumed powdered formula made by Abbott Inc. at its Michigan plant, genetic testing of Cronobacter found by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the plant did not match that related to the babies.

Still, the Cronobacter found at the Abbott plant triggered a shutdown and a nationwide formula shortage.

The FDA plans to enhance surveillance of baby formula for Cronobacter, CNN reported.

Cronobacter infections can be fatal in infants, especially newborns. The bacteria lives in the environment, but infant infections often involve powdered formula, CNN reported.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Cronobacter.