COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Walmart and health officials are waiting
for the test results on a batch of powdered infant formula that was
removed from more than 3,000 stores nationwide.
The formula was removed after a Missouri newborn who had
consumed it died from a rare infection.
This type of bacteria occurs naturally in the environment and in
plants such as wheat and rice. But it has also appeared in dried
milk and powdered formula, so manufacturers routinely test for it.
Walmart pulled the Enfamil Newborn formula as a precaution
after the death of Avery Cornett in the southern Missouri town of
Lebanon. The government hasn't ordered a recall, and the
manufacturer says test showed the batch was negative for the
bacteria before it was shopped.
A second Missouri infant became ill after consuming powdered
baby formula in the past month, but that child recovered.
The product isn't just sold at Walmart. The manufacturer, Mead
Johnson Nutrition, hasn't said how widely it was distributed to
other stores.
A spokesman says the company is "highly confident in the safety
and quality" of its products.
The lot number is ZP1J7G.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
