CHICAGO: Walmart has
pulled infant formula from the shelves of its 3,000 stores after two
babies in Missouri got sick and one of them died, the retailer said on
Thursday.
Health officials have not yet determined whether the
bacterial infection which sickened the newborns was linked to the
powdered formula, but Walmart said it was pulling the product "out of an
abundance of caution."
"We extend our deepest condolences to
this baby boy's family as they try to come to grips with their loss,"
Walmart spokesperson Dianna Gee told AFP.
The retailer only removed Enfamil formula from the lot number in question: ZP1K7G, Gee said.
"Walmart
customers who may have purchased the item at our stores can return it
for a full refund or exchange it for another brand of formula," she
added.
The formula manufacturer said it tests all of ingredients
and products prior to shipment and does not believe the bacteria was
present at time of sale.
"The batch of our product used by the
child's family tested negative for Cronobacter when it was produced and
packaged, and that has been reconfirmed from our batch records following
this news," spokesman Chris Perille said.
"We are highly confident in the safety and quality of our products - and the rigorous testing we put them through."
Mead
Johnson Nutrition is "working with the health authorities to support
their efforts to identify the source or cause of this infant's
infection," he said, adding "our hearts go out to the child's family for
their tragic loss."
Missouri health officials have sent the
formula to federal labs for testing and urged parents to be careful
because "powdered infant formulas are not commercially sterile
products."
They noted that powdered infant formula is the only
type of food linked to outbreaks of this type of infection and that "no
exclusively breastfed infants have been reported to have" the infection.
They
urged parents to careful store powdered formula, prepare only small
amounts that will be used right away, sterilise bottles, boil water used
to prepare formula for at least two minutes and wash their hands
thoroughly in order to prevent contamination.
"Until testing is
completed it cannot be determined whether the illness is linked to
Enfamil Newborn Formula 12.5 oz. cans Lot # ZP1K7G or an outside
source," the health department said in a statement.
- AFP/de
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RIP
got melamine again?