The FDA warned consumers about certain Alimentum, Similac or EleCare powdered infant formulas on February 17, 2022. The warning was about the formulas possibly being contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria. These formulas were then recalled by Newport.
According to the FDA, infections linked with these formulas have caused four hospitalizations and two deaths as of August 2022.
Call us now for a free consultation or send us a text from this page if your child became ill after consuming recalled Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formula. We won’t charge a fee until and unless we obtain a financial recovery for you. For more information, including a list of recalled formulas, click here.
Baby Formula Recall Updates And Latest News
- In May 2023, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly dismissed claims for economic losses which class action lawsuits raised. However, Kennelly will allow individual injury lawsuits to proceed regarding injuries stemming from Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections.
- On May 22, 2023, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly dismissed claims made by parents which pursued only economic losses related to baby formula which allegedly saw a “substantial risk” of being contaminated by bacteria. The parents claimed they never would have bought the formula, or wouldn’t have paid so much money for the formula, if Abbott hadn’t claimed their formula was safe. Kennelly, however, said there was no standing for the parents to sue, saying the parents failed to show which lots or products by Abbott were contaminated, and failed to show that their children showed symptoms of eating contaminated food.
- A judge overseeing an Abbott formula MDL said on May 1, 2023 that he isn’t sure if he will allow parents who pursue economic claims only to remain in the case, noting they are presenting arguments for standing which seem too broad. Economic claims are claims which can be objectively quantified, such as claims for medical bills. Non-economic claims are claims which can’t have an objective value attached to them, such as claims for pain and suffering, or claims for emotional distress from losing a baby.
- On March 30, 2023, the FDA provided guidance to the infant formula industry regarding how to prevent future contamination of infant formula by bacteria. For more information on that guidance, click here.
- On March 17, 2023, limited quantities of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula were recalled due to the possibility of Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. For the lot codes and use by dates of the recalled products, click here.
- On February 20, 2023, two batches of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula were recalled due to the possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii. For more information on this recall, click here.
- On February 8, 2023, a Pennsylvania women filed a class action lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories, alleging her and other parents were tricked into feeding their infants contaminated formula. Some plaintiffs can make more money in an individual lawsuit than in a class action lawsuit, though. If you have questions regarding whether joining a class action lawsuit or filing an individual lawsuit is better for you, call us today for a free consultation.
- In January 2023, Abbott confirmed that the Justice Department is investigating their Sturgis manufacturing plant in connection with formula becoming contaminated by bacteria.
- In August 2022, yet more lawsuits against Abbott over the contaminated infant formula were consolidated into another MDL to be overseen by Judge Matthew F. Kennedy in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
- In April 2022, multiple lawsuits against Abbott over the contaminated infant formula were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) to be overseen by Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
