Reckitt has recalled almost 150,000 tins of its popular baby formula, amid fears that a deadly bacteria may have contaminated the product.
The UK-based production giant put out a voluntary call back for two specific batches of its ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula which were manufactured between August and September 2022.
These have a Use By date of March 1, 2024 - and are feared to have Cronobacter sakazakii present in the product.
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The Mirror reports Cronobacter lives in very dry places and can appear as a contaminate for foods such as powered milk and formula, which can lead to complications such as sepsis and meningitis if ingested. Reckitt, based in Slough and who sells its produce around the globe including the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, has confirmed that there have not been any positive results of the bacteria following testing.
A statement from the company, read: "We are committed to the highest level of quality and safety and it is for this reason that we have taken this extraordinary measure. The batches in question tested negative for Cronobacter and other bacteria and this is an isolated situation.
"After a thorough investigation, we have identified the root cause, which was linked to a material from a third party. We have taken all appropriate corrective actions, including no longer sourcing this material from the supplier.
"The health and safety of infants is our highest priority. All of our products undergo rigorous and industry leading quality tests and checks to ensure that they meet or exceed all standards set by regulatory bodies, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"It is for this reason that we have the highest level of confidence in the safety and quality of every infant formula we make."
The two batches of cans had the product numbers of ZL2HZF and ZL2HZZ, and a UPC code of 300871214415 printed on the base of the can. A total of more than 145,000 cans were recalled. Cronobacter is the bacteria which has caused widespread shortage of powdered milk in the US after it had closed down manufacturing giant Abbott Labs' plant of baby formula in Sturgis, Michigan.
Although the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) do not keep records of annual deaths for bacterial-related infections, the agency has said that two deaths have been linked to the contamination at the Sturgis plant. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which released Reckitt's statement, believes the number could be as high as nine.
The Michigan plant has since reopened following 'renovations and adjustments to cleaning practices'.
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