Gerber Baby Formula Recalled Due to Bacteria Concerns

Perrigo Co., which makes Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula, has recalled the product over concerns about contamination with a potentially dangerous bacteria.

Cronobacter sakazakii was possibly present between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18 at the company’s Gateway Eau Claire, Wisc., manufacturing facility.

No distributed products have tested positive for the bacteria. No one has reported adverse events, the company added in a news release.

No other products made by the company are affected by the recall at this plant or other Perrigo facilities.

The recall is being made voluntarily in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Just last month, infant formula manufacturer Reckitt recalled 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee formula because of possible contamination with C. sakazakii bacteria. And that recall followed an infant formula shortage last year that was prompted by Abbott Nutrition’s closing of its Michigan plant. That closing was necessitated after four infants fell ill and two died after consuming powdered infant formula made at the plant. However, genetic testing later found the bacteria discovered at the plant did not match the bacteria related to the infant cases.

With the Gerber infant formula recall, anyone who purchased the product after March 5 should look for the lot codes and “use by” dates involved in the recall on the items they purchased, the company said. Those can be found on the bottom of the package.

Don’t use the product if your lot codes match those in the recall. Throw it out.

Request a refund and learn more by contacting the Gerber Parent Resource Center on behalf of Perrigo at 1-800-777-7690 anytime 24/7. Consumers with any health-related questions should contact their health care provider.

C. sakazakii is commonly found in the environment. Although it causes no symptoms in most people, it can cause serious symptoms in premature infants, infants under 2 months old or infants with weakened immune systems.

The following products and lot codes are affected by the recall:

Gerber Good Start SootheProTM 12.4 oz:
300357651Z – USE BY 04JUL2024
300457651Z – USE BY 05JUL2024
300557651Z – USE BY 06JUL2024
300557652Z – USE BY 06JUL2024
300757651Z – USE BY 08JUL2024
300857651Z – USE BY 09JUL2024
301057651Z – USE BY 11JUL2024
301057652Z – USE BY 11JUL2024
301157651Z – USE BY 12JUL2024

Gerber Good Start SootheProTM 30.6 oz:
301357652Z – USE BY 14JUL2024
301457652Z – USE BY 15JUL2024
301557651Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

Gerber Good Start SootheProTM 19.4 oz:
301557652Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

More information

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

SOURCE: Perrigo Company, news release, March 17, 2023