Infant Formula Recalled In RI Over Contamination With Deadly Bacteria

RHODE ISLAND — The Perrigo Company has issued a recall of certain lots of Gerber powdered infant formula, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) said Monday.

Bathes of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula that were manufactured at the company’s Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin facility from Jan. 2 to 18, were part of the recall because of the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii.

Cronobacter bacteria can cause life-threatening infections like sepsis or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths, and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.

These products were sold at retailers across the U.S. State health officials said consumers who purchased the product after March 5, should look for the following lot codes and "use by" dates, which can be found on the bottom of the package.

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

• 301357652Z – USE BY 14JUL2024
• 301457652Z – USE BY 15JUL2024
• 301557651Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

• 301557652Z – USE BY 16JUL2024I

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.

As of Monday, state health officials said no distributed products have tested positive for the presence of the bacteria, and no adverse reactions have been reported.