NC warns of recalled infant formula found to contain bacteria

RALEIGH, NC (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is warning families about infant formula that was recently recalled.

Officials said Friday that Perrigo has issued a voluntary recall certain batches of Gerber Good Start SoothePro dry infant formula out of an abundance of caution.

They said the batches could potentially contain Cronobacter bacteria, which can make babies sick.

Just last month, food manufacturer Reckitt voluntarily withdrawn some of their baby formula because they said it may have been infected with the same bacteria.

According to Perrig, the bacteria can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages and can be very serious in infants.

They said the first symptoms of infection are fever, poor nutrition, excessive crying or very low energy levels. Anyone whose child experiences these symptoms is encouraged to call a health care provider immediately and seek help.

North Carolina state officials said the recalled Perrigo product was manufactured at their Gateway Eau Claire, Wis., facility.

According to Perrigo’s announcement Friday, no common product has tested positive for the bacteria, and no side effects have been reported.

North Carolina officials said no infections related to the recall have been identified in the Tar Heel State.

Affected products

Anyone who purchased this product after March 5th is asked to check the formula lot codes and expiration dates. You can find them at the bottom of the package.

Anyone who finds the relevant code is asked to discontinue use and return the product to the store for a replacement.

NC officials said consumers can also use alternative products, such as other standard formula or infant formula.

The following products were part of the recall:

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro™ 12.4 oz.:

• 300357651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 04, 2024
• 300457651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 05, 2024
• 300557651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 06, 2024
• 300557652Z – USE UNTIL JULY 06, 2024
• 300757651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 08, 2024
• 300857651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 9, 2024
• 301057651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 11, 2024
• 301057652Z – USE UNTIL JULY 11, 2024
• 301157651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 12, 2024

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro™ 30.6 oz.:

• 301357652Z – USE UNTIL JULY 14, 2024
• 301457652Z – USE UNTIL JULY 15, 2024
• 301557651Z – USE UNTIL JULY 16, 2024

Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro™ 19.4 oz:

• 301557652Z – USE UNTIL JULY 16, 2024

For more information or to request a refund for the affected products, parents and caregivers are asked to contact the Gerber Parent Resource Center at 1-800-777-7690.

Participants in North Carolina Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are asked not to use the recalled infant formula. If a family participating in the program discovers that they have a product affected by the recall, they are asked to return the product to local WIC agency or to the point of purchase.