Cronobacter Lawsuit

Recalls have been issued for contaminated infant formula and protein shakes that may cause infections with dangerous Cronobacter bacteria.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Cronobacter induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or your baby were infected with Cronobacter, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Gerber Good Start Infant Formula Recalled

In March 2023, Perrigo recalled certain batches of Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula due to a risk of contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. No illnesses were reported at the time of the recall. The products include:

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro 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

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro 30.6 oz:
301357652Z – USE BY 14JUL2024
301457652Z – USE BY 15JUL2024
301557651Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro 19.4 oz:
301557652Z – USE BY 16JUL2024I

Enfamil ProSobee Baby Formula Recalled

In February 2022, Reckitt voluntarily recalled 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula due to a risk of cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. No illnesses or infections were reported, but Cronobacter is very dangerous for infants due to the risk of meningitis, sepsis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), and death.

Baby Formula Recalled for Cronobacter Infection Risk

In December 2022, a voluntary recall was issued for 5 batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula due to a risk of Cronobacter infections. No infections or deaths were reported, but Cronbacter sakazakii was found in a facility where ByHeart baby formula is canned. The recall includes the following 5 batches of baby formula: 22273 C1, 22276 C1, 22277 C1, 22278 C1, and 22280 C1 with use-by dates of 01 JAN 24 or 01JUL 24.

Protein Shakes Recalled for Cronobacter Infection Risk

In July 2022, Lyons Magnus recalled dozens of varieties of protein shakes, coffee products and high-calorie nutritional shakes due to a risk of Cronobacter infections.

No illnesses were reported, but the manufacturer warns that “the common symptoms of illness could include fever, vomiting and urinary tract infection. However, vulnerable and immunocompromised populations may be more susceptible to infection.”

The recall includes many popular protein shakes for adults (such as Premier Protein) but also nutrient-dense protein shakes for children and other people in hospitals.

The recall involves 53 products under the following brand-names:

Aloha Plant-Based Protein
Glucerna Original (sold only at Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Sam’s Club)
Sysco Imperial Med Plus & Thickened Dairy Drink
Intelligentsia Cold Coffee & Oat Latte
Kate Farms Pediatric Standard
Lyons Barista Style Non-Dairy Beverage
Lyons Ready Care
MRE Protein Shake
Oatly Oat-Milk Barista Edition (Food Service)
Pirq Plant Protein
Premier Protein
Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee

Baby Formula Recalled After Deadly Cronobacter Infection Outbreak

In February 2022, a recall was issued for powdered baby formula that due to a deadly outbreak of Cronobacter and Salmonella infections.

Health officials are investigating 4 consumer complaints of babies who were hospitalized with Cronobacter or Salmonella infections between September 20, 2021 through January 11, 2022 after being fed Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered baby formula.

Three babies were infected with Cronobacter sakazakii (including 1 baby who died) and one baby was infected with Salmonella Newport. The illnesses were reported in Texas (2), Minnesota (1), and Ohio (1).

The FDA is warning consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formula if:

The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and
The code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and
The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

What is Cronobacter?

Cronobacter sakazakii, formerly called “Enterobacter sakazakii,” is a bacteria that can live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula. Infections are not very common, but they are frequently deadly for babies. The survivors have a high risk of complications, particularly low-birth-weight and premature infants.

Severe Complications of Cronobacter Infections

The most common serious complications of a Cronobacter infection are:

Sepsis (bloodstream infection)
Meningitis (inflammation and swelling of the linings surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
Brain damage
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (intestinal damage)
Organ damage
Death

Other Complications of Cronobacter Infections

Less common complications of a cronobacter include conjunctivis (eye infection), urinary tract infections, diarrhea, tonsillitis and osteomyelitis (bone inflammation).

Symptoms of Cronobacter Infection in Babies

Fever
Poor Feeding
Crying
Very low energy
Seizures

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis due to Cronobacter infections is mostly a risk for babies under 2 months old. If the infection spreads to the brain or spinal cord and causes meningitis, about 75% of babies will suffer long-term neurological delays and poor lifelong outcomes. Cronobacter infections are deadly in up to 4 out of 10 babies with meningitis.

What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening intestinal complication that is far more common in premature babies who are fed infant formula instead of breast milk. NEC can cause severe intestinal inflammation, death of intestinal tissue, or a hole in the intestine. Babies with NEC may need emergency surgery to remove part of their intestine.

Species of Cronobacter

There are several species of Cronobacter bacteria, including:

Cronobacter sakazakii
Cronobacter malonaticus
Cronobacter turicensis
Cronobacter muytjensii
Cronobacter dublinensis
Cronobacter condiment
Cronobacter universalis

More Information

Cronobacter: Frequently Asked Questions — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hunter, C., Bean, J. Cronobacter: an emerging opportunistic pathogen associated with neonatal meningitis, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. J Perinatol 33, 581–585 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.26

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