NH DHHS - Test Results of Recalled Infant Formula Negative

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) issued precautions

recently about the voluntary recall of a powdered infant formula following

the death of an infant in Missouri. The infant died from a Cronobacter

sakazakii infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

issued findings that samples they tested were negative so there is no need

for a recall of infant formula and parents may continue to use Enfamil

Newborn powdered infant formula, following the manufacturer’s directions on

the printed label.


A total of four infants in the U.S. with Cronobacter infection were

included in the investigation, which is ongoing. There is currently no

evidence to conclude that the infant formula or nursery water was

contaminated during manufacturing or shipping or to suggest the cases were

related. The CDC will continue its investigation, however, to determine the

source(s) of the infection.


“Since all testing has come back negative we feel safe in telling parents

to resume use of the voluntarily recalled formula,” said DHHS’ Public

Health Director Dr. José Montero. “We continue, as always, to remind

parents and caregivers to take precautions when preparing, storing, and

feeding infant formula to prevent contamination.”


The bacteria Cronobacter can be found naturally in the environment and has

been found in many foods, including powdered infant formula and water.

Cronobacter sakazakii rarely causes illness in humans; however, it can

cause infections in infants including meningitis which can be fatal.


For infants who are fed with powdered infant formula, DHHS continues to

recommend careful adherence to infection prevention measures while

preparing formula. These include washing your hands with soap and water

before preparation, cleaning all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water and

preparing formula for just one feeding at a time. U.S. Department of

Agriculture guidelines on the safe preparation of powdered infant formula

are available at on the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/documents/formula.pdf .