In the News: Formula Recalls

Kroger Co., Safeway, Supervalu Inc., Walgreen Co., and  Walmart have removed 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn with the lot number ZP1K7G from store shelves across the country. The potentially tainted cans of formula will be held until federal health officials release test results on the formula. 1

Even though stores have removed thousands of cans of formula, some of the questionable formula may still remain on store shelves – or in the homes of newborns.

What happened
The Associated Press and Reuters report that Avery Cornett, the 10-day-old newborn, was sick for several days with a stomach ache and lethargy. Hospital tests showed that he was infected with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria.

While the source of the bacteria is not confirmed, the bacteria are known to contaminate powdered formula, dried milk, wheat, and rice.

Sadly, this method of regulating infant formula just isn’t safe enough for newborns and infants throughout the United States. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the truth is, “The FDA does not approve infant formulas before they can be marketed.” ²

That means any “new” or “improved” baby formula that’s on store shelves, waiting for parents to purchase, has not been tested by the FDA. Eventually the infant formula does get approved, but if something is wrong with new formulas, the products already are in baby bottles.

It’s for this reason – and many others – that breastfeeding truly is better than formula feeding.

Want to learn more?
If you’re interested in reading more about the safety, benefits and risks of infant formula, check out these past Accidentally Green posts:

Sources

Photo credit
David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net