Baby formula can be related to at least five childhood diseases, including possibly two deaths, the Food and Drug Administration warned earlier this week. But there may be more cases than reported, CBS News has learned.
Natalie Coselli and Tyler Rowland say her son, Hayes, suddenly developed a fever and had blood on his diaper before turning pale and lethargic in late October. The 2-month-old boy was admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital and connected to an IV.
“Doctors didn’t know what was going on,” Rowland, the baby’s father, told CBS News. “It was unreal. It’s very, very scary.”
Doctors finally diagnosed him with a Salmonella infection.
“I said, how’s that going?” said Coselli.
Four months later, there was a potential response: the Similac formula that Hayes’ parents used to feed him is among the four. recently remembered powder baby formula brands. They all did Abbott Labs at their plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
In February, the FDA reported that five babies – all of whom consumed the formula now remembered, according to their parents – contracted Salmonella or Cronobacter, which can cause meningitis or sepsis. Two of the children have died.
“We have information suggesting that as early as September 2021, there were complaints to the FDA about an outbreak of a pathogen transmitted by Cronobacter food at the Sturgis, Michigan facility,” said lawyer Scott Schlesinger, who represents Coselli. and Rowland, on CBS News. “And so when you have this kind of outbreak, you need a trusted manufacturer that consumers depend on to act quickly, responsibly, not to hesitate.”
Schlesinger and his law firm have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of another family whose son was also diagnosed with Salmonella infection. So far it represents eight families with babies who have allegedly consumed recalled Abbott products that are not included in the FDA case count, he said.
Abbott told CBS News in a statement that the stored samples from the recalled batches were negative for both Cronobacter and Salmonella and that “the cause of the babies’ infections has not been determined at this time.”
Schlesinger said an investigation into the company’s testing practices should be initiated.
“Unfortunately, we often find that there are shortcuts, there is carelessness, there is oversight, there is an inadequate assessment of food security. And that’s how things go in public, and it’s the consumers who pay the price.” said the lawyer.
During an FDA inspection of the Sturgis plant in September, the agency issued five subpoenas, including improper handwashing and improper maintenance of a building used to produce and package infant formula.
During another inspection, the FDA found “several positive results of Cronobacter from environmental samples.” An FDA review of Abbott’s internal documents also indicated that Abbott had previously destroyed the formula due to this contamination.
The FDA deputy commissioner said the agency is still investigating the complaints.
“Recent childhood illnesses and deaths with exposure to certain withdrawn infant formula formulas produced at an Abbott facility are tragic and of great concern to us all. Our first and foremost priority is to ensure that any product withdrawn and work with the USDA and manufacturers to ensure that parents have access to alternative and safe infant formula, “Frank Yiannas, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food policy and response, told CBS News in a statement. press release.
Yiannas added that “the investigation is ongoing.”
Hayes is now 6 months old and fine, but his family says his body is still healing.
“It’s horrible to hear that this happened,” Coselli said. “There are two babies who have died. This is very sad.”
Abbott has created a website where you can check if the batch number of your powder formula is included in the withdrawal: Consumers can get more information at www.similacrecall.com on how to get a refund or replacement, or call the service Similac Customer Service at 1. -800-986-8540.
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