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EnfaCare® LIPIL® Infant Formula Powder Recall

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Gail Wood
          812-429-5703
          Pete Paradossi
          812-429-7413

For Immediate Release

EVANSVILLE, IND., January 9, 2003 -- Mead Johnson Nutritionals, in keeping with our commitment to provide safe and healthy nutritional products, is initiating a voluntary recall of 505 cases of EnfaCare LIPIL 12.9 ounce powdered infant formula. The cases and cans are coded BME01, with an expiration date of January 1, 2004 (embossed 1JAN04). This voluntary recall is being initiated because the product is contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii (E. sakazakii). E. sakazakii, commonly found in the environment, is a food-borne pathogen that can, in rare cases, cause sepsis (bacteria in the blood), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), or necrotizing enterocolitis (severe intestinal infection) in newborn infants, particularly premature infants, or infants with weakened immune systems. We are unaware of any reports of illness associated with E. sakazakii as a result of feeding infants product from batch BME01; however, product from batch BME01 should not be used.

EnfaCare LIPIL is a formula for infants with conditions such as prematurity. Five hundred five cases from this batch were shipped to hospitals, retail stores and WIC clinics nationwide during December 2002. No other batches of EnfaCare LIPIL are affected.

Parents who have EnfaCare LIPIL infant formula powder with batch code BME01 embossed on the bottom, as well as consumers or health care professionals with questions regarding this situation, may call the Mead Johnson Consumer Resource Center at 1-888-587-7275.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by tg 2003-JAN-10.