Tests Confirm Enfamil Not Involved in Infant Death

Testing by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have confirmed that samples of Mead Johnson Nutrition's Enfamil powdered baby formula contained no trace of the Cronobacter bacteria that led to the death of a Missouri infant last month. The health authorities' results were the same as those of Glenview, Ill.-based Mead Johnson's own rigorous testing. The manufacturer's test used samples parallel to those tested by public health officials and followed the same methodology.

Mead also conducted tests before the single batch of formula ever shipped to retailers and consumers, according to Chris Perille, VP of corporate communications and public affairs, who said the manufacturer shared its results from both rounds of testing with health authorities.

“The company undertook the highly unusual retesting due to continuing misinformation and confusion in the marketplace,” Perille noted. “Mead Johnson recognizes that parents and health care professionals trust and rely on the Enfamil brand, and takes that responsibility very seriously.”

The FDA and CDC test results "should reassure consumers, health care professionals and retailers everywhere about the safety and quality of our products," added Tim Brown, Mead's SVP and general manager for North America. "These tests also reinforce the rigor of our quality processes throughout our operations."

All Mead Johnson infant formulas undergo more than 2,300 quality tests and checks to ensure that they meet or exceed all standards set by regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization and FDA.

In the wake of 10-day-old Avery Cornett’s death on Dec. 18, the batch of 12.5-ounce cans with the lot number ZP1K7G was removed from the shelves of Walmart, where the baby’s family bought the formula, as well as from Kroger, Supervalu, Walgreens and other retailers.