Enfamil Bacteria Problems Lead to FDA Plant Inspections

At least three children appear to have been infected by bacteria that may have come from contaminated Enfamil baby formula, including in at least one death. 

The FDA is now investigating a Mead Johnson manufacturing plant in Zeeland, Michigan, looking for potential causes for the Enfamil bacteria problems.

Last week, Wal-mart issued an Enfamil recall for one lot of the baby formula after the death of a 10-day-old infant in Missouri was reported.

Now, U.S. regulators are saying that at least two other infants are believed to have fallen ill due to Chronobacter bacteria, but one of the infants, an unidentified child from Oklahoma, did not eat the same brand of formula as the others.

Chronobacter infections are very rare. Mead Johnson says that tests of the recalled batch of formula linked to the illnesses have shown no signs of the bacteria.

At least 120 infant deaths have been linked to Chronobacter since 1958. The bacteria grows rapidly in formula reconstituted in warm water not hot enough to kill it, and causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in symptoms similar to meningitis.

The recall affects 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder with lot number ZP1K7G sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Mead Johnson officials say it is unclear what other store chains also received cans from that particular lot.

In addition to checking the formula, health officials say they will also check the water used to prepare it and anything else the infants may have eaten. Mead Johnson officials say they specifically test every lot for Cronobacter contamination.

This is the second major infant formula recall in two years. In 2010 Abbott Laboratories issued a Similac recall after some cans were found to be infested with beetles and their larvae. Children unwittingly fed the bugs by their parents and caretakers are believed to have suffered diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress, leading to a number of Similac formula lawsuits being filed by families.