Baby Formula Recall: Indiana, Kentucky & Tennessee Affected

The United States Food and Drug Administration has released a consumer notice from Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc after the company says previously recalled baby formula was distributed from Nashville, Tennessee to retailers in a number of states including Indiana, Kentucky, and other parts of Tennessee.

Rare but Dangerous Bacteria

Initially, a voluntary recall was issued by the Perrigo Company as a precaution due to the potential contamination of certain powdered infant formula with a bacteria known as cronobacter sakazakii. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cronobacter sakazakii is a rare but dangerous bacterium that can cause severe infections, primarily in infants. The CDC says it is typically found in powdered infant formula and other dried foods like powdered milk, herbal teas, and starches.

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Meningitis and Sepsis are Possible

Cronobacter sakazakii infections can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis and sepsis, particularly in premature or immunocompromised infants. The bacterium can survive in a wide range of environmental conditions and is resistant to some disinfection methods. Prompt identification and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing Cronobacter sakazakii infections. Preventive measures, including strict hygiene practices during formula preparation and manufacturing processes, are essential to minimize the risk of contamination.

Distributed to Supermarkets in Indiana, Kentucky, & Tennessee

Despite the initial recall on March 17, 2023, from the Perrigo Company, some of the affected baby formula was distributed to retailers in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee from Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc distribution location in Nashville. Associated Wholesale Grocers distributes to independently owned supermarkets and grocers including:

• Belle Foods
• Bellview Price Cutter
• Booneville Shopwise
• Brown County IGA
• Buehler's
• Buehler's Cash Saver
• Buehler's IGA
• Camridge City Market
• Campbell's Market
• Camron's Foodliner
• Cash Saver
• Cash Saver Harlan
• Chappell's Hometown
• Country Mart
• Crossroads IGA
• Food City
• Food Giant
• Food World
• Foodland
• Frabergs Foods
• Fresh N Low
• Gallion's Market
• Gregerson's Cash Saver
• Hilltop Cee Bee
• Hometown IGA
• Houchen's
• Howard's IGA
• Laurel Grocery Company
• Liberty IGA
• Market Place
• Noble's IGA
• Parkview IGA
• Noble's IGA
• Parkview IGA
• Piggly Wiggly
• Piggly Wiggly Warrior
• Price Cutter
• Price Less Foods
• Price Less IGA
• Quality Foods
• Riesbeck's
• Rivertown IGA
• Simpson's Supermarket
• Spencer Cash Saver
• Stop to Save
• Sureway
• Sureway Henderson
• Swafford and Sons IGA
• Tietgens Mt. Pleasant IGA
• Valu Market
• Versailles IGA
• Vevay IGA
• Village Market & Café
• Walnut Creek Country Market
• Winburn Fruit Market
• Woodruff's Supermarket

Lot Codes and Use By Dates for Affected Product

The recall impacts certain lots of Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula that was manufactured in Eau Claire, Wisconsin between January 2nd and January 18th of 2023. To identify the affected formula, you can look on the bottom of the can for the following "lot codes" and "use by" dates:

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

These are the codes for the products that were distributed after the initial recall. To view the full list of recalled products visit FDA.gov. If you are in possession of any of the formula that matches the codes above, you should discontinue using the product and dispose of it immediately. To request a refund or for more information, you are encouraged to contact the Gerber Parent Resource Center by calling 1-800-777-7690.

[Source: FDA.gov]