The Perrigo Company is recalling certain lots of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula because of potential Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.
The product was distributed in the U.S. and was manufactured at the Company’s Gateway Eau Claire, WI, manufacturing facility from Jan. 2 to 18, 2023.
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is releasing this additional notice because one of the recalled products being distributed to its Nashville Division retailers after the initial recall notice was published on March 18. The initial recall can be found here.
Recalled products:
- 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
A food recall translates into high costs for companies, this is why the best way to prevent them is to have an adequate risk management culture as well as specialized health plans for each client. At The Rosmar Group we have specialized sanitation consulting that will generate continuous benefits for you.
About Cronobacter
Food contaminated with Cronobacter may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious illness. In rare cases it can cause fatal infections. Cronobacter can cause rare bloodstream and central nervous system infections and has been associated with severe intestinal infection (necrotizing enterocolitis) and blood poisoning (sepsis), especially in newborns. Severe cases often lead to death.
How can foods can be contaminated by Cronobacter sakazakii
Cronobacter sakazakii, and its cousins in the broader Cronobacter genus, are part of a large family of bacteria that are common in the environment — like in our yards, kitchens, and living rooms — so identifying the specific source of an illness or outbreak can be challenging. Cronobacter has the potential to come into food facilities, homes, and hospitals on the soles of shoes or on hands and can then live on surfaces like counters, sinks, bottles or other feeding utensils.
Tips in house to minimize the risk of Cronobacter Contamination
Infants could also be exposed to Cronobacter from unclean breast pumps or unclean bottles. To help keep your baby safe, you can help prevent Cronobacter from growing on these items.
- Keep your baby’s food, whether breast milk or formula, safe by carefully cleaning, sanitizing, and storing bottles and breast pump parts.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before preparing bottles and feeding. If soap and water are unavailable, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean countertops and any work surfaces that come into contact with formula, bottles, or breast pump parts soap and water, or other disinfectant.
References:
- News Desk. (2023, May 15). Gerber recalling infant formula because of Cronobacter sakazakii contamination | Food Safety News. Food Safety News. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/05/gerber-recalling-infant-formula-because-of-cronobacter-sakazakii-contamination/
- Nutrition U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Cronobacter sakazakii. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cronobacter-sakazakii
