Enfamil Newborn Formula Pulled From Shelves After Newborn Dies

Update: An announcement on December 25 by Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. revealed the latest round of tests found no trace of the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii, which was tied to the death of Avery Cornett, the LA Women's Health Examiner reports. Reuters also reports a third infant in the U.S. has tested positive for the same infection that killed Cornett, but had not consumed the Enfamil formula. The infant has since been treated and discharged from the hospital.

After Avery Cornett, a 10-day-old infant died in Springfield, Mo., on Sunday, Walmart stores around the U.S. are pulling Enfamil newborn powdered formula from the shelves as it may have caused the rare infection that led to the newborn's death, the New York Daily News reported.

Avery was rushed to St. John's Hospital-Lebanon last week after "appearing lethargic" and showing signs of a stomach ache. According to a report by the Lebanon Daily Record, preliminary tests revealed he had contracted the rare bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii, which can originate from instant formula.

KY3 TV reported staff members at the Laclede County Health Department sent off samples of the two kinds of formula Avery had been fed, both of which were made by Enfamil. The results could take a week or more to show whether or not the formula is actually to blame.

SuperValu spokesman Mike Siemienas told the Associated Press that pulling the formula is a necessary precaution.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we are removing the formula from certain stores," Siemienas told the AP. "We will hold these products from sale until we receive additional guidance from regulatory authorities and the manufacturer."

Officials from Kroger supermarkets also halted distribution of the "questionable" batch to retail outlets. Kroger spokesman Keith Dailey said the company was able to remove most of the questionable batch from its warehouses and distribution centers before they were sent to retail outlets.

While the investigation continues, the Cornett family is left dealing with the loss of their son.

“I wish we got more than ten days with him," Cornett told KY3 TV.

According to the station, a fund to assist Avery's family has been set up at the Holman Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon.

Comments

[jmtutt8]

01:55 AM on 12/28/2011

44 yrs. ago I woke up to find my 2 and a half month old in his bassinet beside my bed not moving . The fear then was S.I.D.S. It's what every mother feared . When I picked him up it was very abvious he was not right . I remember that day oh so clear it's been a big hole in my heart . Some people would say you'll get over it. You have to move on . I did and the emptiness still remains . My heart goes out to all of you . rely upon God He'll get you through , there's nothing anyone can say to ease the pain. Know you are loved and I 'll be praying for you .

[eabdeb8176]

11:42 PM on 12/28/2011

I've heard people say that to me as well. I've had two stillborn children 2009 and 2011. My heart still hearts for my son (my first) I think you learn to deal with the pain better but it doesn't go away.

[Jeff Springman]

09:00 PM on 12/27/2011

we need to get away from china they make the food that is killing americans baby formula fish cmon people

[cloud1]

12:04 AM on 12/28/2011

Enfamil is manufactured in Evansville, Indiana.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/10/26/meadjohnson-idUSN2621255220101026

[FSMbaby]

08:27 PM on 12/27/2011

For the breastfeeding nazis out there, some women would love to breastfeed but cannot for a number of reasons. Don't point fingers. These parents are going through hell. They didn't deserve to lose their child because they chose to formua feed. For the record, I breastfed both of my children.

[kimahely]

12:57 AM on 12/28/2011

Got a little chip on your shoulder there dont you..........

[FSMbaby]

11:34 PM on 12/28/2011

Nope. I just find it distasteful that someone would criticize a mother who just lost her child.

[blubird106]

08:00 PM on 12/27/2011

Whatever the cause, it helps nothing for a bunch of people to say "they should have done this, or that, or something else and it wouldn't have happened." Bottom line is that at this point no one knows what happened but that poor family is probably in shock and will be grieving for some time. Condolences to them.

[hattie54]

07:28 PM on 12/27/2011

The baby has a scratch on his face.I guess the mother didn't breastfeed ( so much safer and healthier ).

[FSMbaby]

08:24 PM on 12/27/2011

What does the scratch have to do with breastfeeding?

[hattie54]

09:06 PM on 12/27/2011

If the baby below is the one that died,you can tell they didn't or just cut his fingernails.Many newborns scratch their faces.

[jnni132419791]

10:02 PM on 12/27/2011

You are obviously uneducated. Newborns have sharp fine fingernails which can cause them to scratch their faces when they are not wearing newborn mittens. I breastfed and my son managed to scratch up a storm. I hope you don't have kids because it would be so much safer and healthier for them to have a mother who knows the basics.

[hattie54]

09:03 AM on 12/28/2011

You're a rude woman.Yes,I have children who turned out just fine.Mittens??!! ROTFL.Way back there wasn't such a thing,we just clipped the baby's fingernails more often.Jnni,take a chill pill and be nicer to posters from now on.I feel sorry for your neighbors too.

[Elizabeth Casto]

06:33 PM on 12/27/2011

why wont they reveal more information about the bad batch???

[ArmathEarly]

08:44 PM on 12/27/2011

Because there wasn't a bad batch. MJ has tested it several times; two or three before it left the facility, and two or three after they heard of this death. There has been no C. sakazaki bacteria found in the formula. They've been quite open about their batch records.

[eabdeb8176]

12:06 AM on 12/29/2011

There wasn't a bad batch, they tested it several times as stated by armathearly. There are other ways in which to get the bacteria such as not washing your hands properly making the bottle on an unclean surface (not saying any of those things came into play here) using tap water to make a bottle is not the proper way to prepare a bottle.

[Elizabeth Casto]

06:32 PM on 12/27/2011

my kid got the hep shot and is fine. dont blame vaccines! it is obvious it was the formula. maybe you should say they should have breastfed the child if you wanted to be mean about it.

that poor family! i feel so bad for them! they thought they were doing the best they could for their child and it went wrong.

[CRenae7]

08:55 AM on 12/28/2011

I absolutely hate the response "my kid did it and was fine". Every child is different and reacts to things in different ways. My child has an allergic reaction to strawberries, but yours may eat them and be just fine. I am not saying that vaccines caused anything here, but they have caused fatalities in some children. It is rare, but it can happen. Use fact- based research to support your argument, not "I did it and I was fine".

[Avalyn1981]

06:00 PM on 12/27/2011

I doubt it was the formula that led to this precious baby's death. It was probably the Hepatitis shot given a day after birth that is responsible. Just read the physicians desk reference.