A federal investigation of Cronobacter illnesses among infants who consumed powdered infant formula includes two deaths in Ohio.
Typically, two to four cases of Cronobacter are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But a current federal investigation of Cronobacter illnesses linked to powdered infant formula that already includes two deaths in Ohio and two illnesses in Texas and Minnesota has widened, according to the CDC.
After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the joint investigation on February 17, the CDC received additional reports of possible Cronobacter illnesses and another Salmonella illness. The agency is using whole genome sequencing tests to determine if the bacterial strains isolated from infants are genetically related.
The current case total stands at four Cronobacter illnesses in Ohio (2), Minnesota (1), and Texas (1 ) and, one Salmonella illness in Texas. All four infants, who consumed powdered infant formula produced at Abbott Nutrition’s facility Sturgis, MI, were hospitalized. And Cronobacter may have contributed to the deaths of two infants in Ohio, according to the CDC.
Before they became ill, the CDC says infants with Cronobacter consumed the following products: Similac Sensitive, Similac Pro-total Comfort, Similac Advance, and Similac PM 60/40. These products are among those included in a recall issued by Abbott Nutrition on February 17 and expanded on March 1.
The recall includes Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formula produced at Abbott’s Sturgis plant. Products included in the recall have all three identifying factors on the bottom of the container.
- The first two digits of the number will start with the numbers 22 through 37.
- The code contains K8, SH, or Z2.
- The product has an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.
Product Liability Lawsuit
Our product liability lawyers have decades of experience representing people injured or killed by unsafe products. We hold the makers of unsafe products responsible and help victims and their families obtain full and fair compensation. In one of our lawsuits, we recovered $10 million for babies who contracted a mysterious illness after ingesting a medical product that was later recalled.
Listed in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms in America, our law firm has a reputation for success in complex lawsuits. Our product liability lawyers have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other publications. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of people hurt or killed by defective items. If your baby became ill after consuming powdered infant formula that is now recalled or if you suffered the wrongful death of your loved one and would like to talk to a lawyer about your legal rights, please call I1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.