Enfamil maker recalls potentially contaminated baby formula

WASHINGTON (AP) — The maker of Enfamil announced a recall of about 145,000 cans of infant formula due to the possibility of cross-contamination with a bacteria that can cause serious illness or death.

Reckitt, a United Kingdom-based consumer health and nutrition company, said over the weekend that is voluntarily recalling two batches of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula, but that no illnesses or “adverse events” have been reported.

The company said it identified the cause of the potential cronobacter contamination and are no longer using the supplier.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cronobacter infections in infants can be deadly.

The bacteria occurs naturally in soil, water and other parts of the environment and can live in dry foods, such as powdered milk, herbal teas, starches and baby formula.

Almost all previous outbreaks in the US have been linked to powdered baby formulas, which don't undergo the same high temperatures used to kill germs in many other foods.

Cronobacter typically causes fever in infants and can sometimes lead to dangerous blood infections or swelling of the brain.

Last year, a nationwide baby formula shortage was triggered by an Abbott Nutrition plant that had to be closed for months because of contamination problems.

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