Eight Additional Babies Sickened by Abbott Formula Powder Recall

The recalled Abbott baby formula powder recently may be linked to more infant illnesses other than the five cases, including two deaths that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported earlier this week, CBS News Reported.

In late October, Natalie Coselli and Tyler Rowland said that their son, Hayes suddenly had a spiked fever and blood in his diaper before becoming pale and lethargic. The two-month boy was admitted to Texas Children's Hospital and was immediately hooked up to an IV.

Doctors eventually diagnosed the baby with Salmonella infection. Meanwhile, the mom wondered how could that happen?

Abbott baby formula powder recall

Four months later, they had their answer. The Similac formula that the parents feed their little one is among the four recently recalled brands of powdered baby formula produced by Abbott Laboratories in Sturgis, Michigan.

As of February, FDA reported five infant illnesses have been linked to consumption of the recalled formula. The babies either have either Salmonella or Cronobacter. Two of the infants have died.

According to lawyer Scott Schlesinger, who is representing Coselli and Rowland told CBS News that as early as September 2021, there were complaints to the FDA about an outbreak of foodborne pathogen Cronobacter at the Sturgis facility. The lawyer added that when outbreaks such as these happen, a trusted manufacturer that consumers depend upon acts rapidly, responsibly, and not to dither.

Schlesinger and his lawyer have filed a class-action complaint on behalf of another child who was also diagnosed with Salmonella infection. He said he is representing eight families with babies that have consumed the Abbott product that was recently recalled. The eight are not included in FDA's case report.

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Stored samples tested negative

Abbott told CBS News that the stored samples of the recalled batched tested negative for both Salmonella and Cronobacter. The milk company also told CBS that the cause of the infant's death have not been determined.

Schlesinger said that an investigation should be launched into the company's testing practices.

In the FDA inspection last September, the agency issued five citations, including inadequate hand washing, improper maintenance of a building used to produce and package the baby formula.

FDA also found "several Cronobacter results from environmental samples."

Frank Yiannas, FDA deputy commissioner for food policy said that investigation on the complaints is ongoing. The deputy also said that the recent illnesses and death of the children are tragic, and a great concern. The agency said that their priority is to take the product off the market and work with USDA to ensure that parents have access to an alternative infant formula that is safe.

Hayes, the baby who was admitted to a hospital for Salmonella infection is now six months old and is doing well. However, his family says the baby's body is still healing. Coselli, Hayes' mother said the incident is horrific and sad as two babies have died.

Related Article: Abbott Baby Formula Expands Recall to Similac PM Following Death of an Infant