Is There A Recall On Gerber Baby Formula?
Yes. On March 17, 2023, Perrigo Company plc announced the voluntary recall of some lots of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula because of the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, a potentially deadly bacteria. (1)(2)
It became a trending topic, especially amid the ongoing baby formula shortage.
UPDATE: What’s worse, the recall was reannounced after two months over reports that the product was shipped out to eight states after the initial recall advisory. (3)
Which production lots are affected, and what should you do if you have these recalled formulas? Have there been any Gerber formula or Gerber food recall in the past? What other formulas have been recalled? Read on to find out.
Gerber Formula Recall 2023
Recall Details
Perrigo Company plc recalled certain lots of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula on March 17, 2023, due to the possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. (1)(2)
Thankfully, there haven’t been any illnesses or adverse reactions reported. Also, none of the distributed products have been tested for the bacteria, according to the recall advisory released by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). (1)(2)
The voluntary recall was issued out of an abundance of caution and to help ensure the safety of the infants using this formula. (1)(2)
Recalled Gerber Formulas Shipped After Recall Announcement
Update: May 18, 2023
On May 14, 2023, the FDA reannounced the safety alert because the recalled formula was accidentally sent to eight states by AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.), a cooperative food wholesaler, after the initial recall was made. (3)
The recalled formulas were distributed in these states: (3)
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
AWG shipped the formula to these retailers (only in the states mentioned above): (3)
- 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
What Baby Formula Is Recalled?
The affected products were formula manufactured at the company’s facility in Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from January 02, 2023, through January 18, 2023. (1)(2)
The following lots of Gerber Good Start SoothePro powdered infant formula are affected by this recall: (2)
Gerber Good Start SootheProTM (30.6 oz) lot codes and best-before dates: (1)(2)
- 301357652Z (USE BY 14JUL2024)
- 301457652Z (USE BY 15JUL2024)
- 301557651Z (USE BY 16JUL2024)
Gerber Good Start SootheProTM (19.4 oz) lot codes and best-before dates: (1)(2)
- 301557652Z (USE BY 16JUL2024i)
Gerber Good Start SootheProTM (12.4 oz) lot codes and best-before dates: (1)(2)
- 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)
How To Tell If Your Formula Is Recalled?
The affected products were sold through retailers across the U.S. starting March 5, 2023. (1)(2)
If you’ve purchased Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula on or after this date, check the bottom of the package for the lot codes and “use by” dates. (1)(2)
Only the lot codes listed above are included in this recall. No other lot codes or Gerber formulas are affected. (1)(2)
Is Gerber A Safe Formula?
Perrigo stands by the safety and quality of their formulas. Despite the possible bacteria contamination, tests have shown that none of the distributed products tested positive for Cronobacter. (1)(2)
Here’s Perrigo’s statement regarding this Gerber formula recall: (2)
“For over 130 years, Perrigo has been committed to meeting the needs of consumers—and the quality and safety of our products is our highest priority.
We have numerous regulatory approved procedures throughout the manufacturing process to control for Cronobacter sakazakii.
Every batch of infant formula is tested to make certain it meets stringent nutritional, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. As part of our rigorous protocols to protect the safety of families and infants, we are proactively taking this action.”
What To Do With The Recalled Products
If you have any of these formulas with matching codes above, stop using them immediately.
Dispose of the formula and contact Perrigo’s Gerber Parent Resource Center to request refunds through: (2)
- 1-800-777-7690, available 24/7
Warnings Over The Recalled Formula
The NC DHHS (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) cautions families about this Gerber baby formula recall. (4)
The Latest Gerber Formula Recall Updates & Warnings
The FDA Warns Baby Formula Manufacturers
Update: August 31, 2023
The FDA issued warning letters to three formula manufacturers over inspection findings over the last several months: (6)
- Perrigo Wisconsin, LLC
- ByHeart Inc.
- Mead Johnson Nutrition (Reckitt)
The exact reasons for the FDA’s warnings weren’t disclosed, and no recalls were issued. (6)
Perrigo makes Gerber in the US, but it isn’t clear on the FDA warning which formula brands they make are affected by this warning.
FAQs
What’s Cronobacter?
According to the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Cronobacter sakazakii is a type of bacteria that’s commonly found in the environment. It can live on dry foods, including powdered milk, infant formula, starches, and herbal teas. (5)
The same bacteria was involved in the massive Similac recall, which contributed to the formula shortage in 2022.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Cronobacter Bacterial Infection?
This bacteria doesn’t usually affect most people, the FDA explains. (2)
However, it can especially pose a threat to infants: (2)
- Premature babies
- Infants younger than two months of age
- Babies with weakened immune systems
Watch out for the following: (2)(5)
- Fever
- Poor feeding
- Excessive crying
- Low energy
- Other serious symptoms, including breathing difficulties, seizures, or even death
According to the CDC, babies younger than two months are more likely to develop meningitis (swelling of the linings surrounding the spinal cord and the brain). (5)
Who Sells Gerber In the US?
The recall advisory explains that Perrigo produces the Good Start infant formula brand in the US and Canada. (2)
Nestlé handles the Good Start infant formula brand sold through the WIC (Women Infants and Children) contracts. (2)
What Three Similac Formulas Have Been Recalled In 2022-2023?
What Other Formulas Have Been Recalled?
Here’s a list of other recalled formulas:
- Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula (2023)
- ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula (2022)
- Similac and Pedialyte Ready-to-Feed Liquid Products (2022)
- Similac PM 60/40 (second Similac recall 2022)
- Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare (first Similac recall 2022)
- Angel formula recall (2022)
- Able Groupe formula recall (2021) for HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, and Bioland (Lebenswert)
- Designed by Nature formula recall (2021)
- SMA Wysoy formula recall – UK (2021)
- Kirkland Signature Brand by Costco, Non-GMO Formula For Babies Sensitive To Lactose formula recall – Canada (2019)
- Calcilo XD formula recall (2019)
- Similac TummiCare One formula recall – Philippines (2019)
- Parent’s Choice Advantage infant formula recall (2019)
- Bebe Mandorle Stage 2 (Bio) formula recall (2018)
- Dumex Mamil Gold (Step 1) infant milk formula recall – Singapore (2018)
- Lactalis Nutrition Santé (LNS) formula recall (2017)
- Sammy’s Milk Baby Food – formula recall (2016)
- Similac powdered infant formula recall (2010)
- Similac Special Care Ready-to-Feed Premature Infant Formula with Iron recall (2007)
- Similac Liquid Ready-To-Drink Formulas – Similac Advance With Iron and Similac Alimentum recall (2006)
- Enfamil formula recall – Gentlease (2006)
- Similac Advance with Iron Formula Powder recall (2005)
- Mead Johnson EnfaCare LIPIL formula recall (2003)
- Enfamil Nutramigen formula recall (2001)
References
(1) https://www.gerber.com/parenttalk/update-on-perrigo-recall-of-gerber-good-start-soothepro
(2) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/perrigo-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-quantity-gerberr-good-startr-sootheprotm-powdered-infant
(3) https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/recall-alert-baby-formula-that-had-been-recalled-sent-out-stores-8-states/RMVEZZIVDRE5NF65FZCAY37UZE/
(4) https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/nc-cautions-families-of-recalled-baby-formula-with-bad-bacteria/
(5) https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/infection-and-infants.html
(6) https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-warning-letters-three-infant-formula-manufacturers
