Texas Baby Formula Lawyer

A growing number of baby formula lawsuits have been filed for babies who developed infections or Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) after they were fed Similac, Enfamil and other types of formula.

Need a Texas Baby Formula Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If your baby was diagnosed with a Cronobacter infection or Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed baby formula, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

UPDATE: $60 Million Awarded in 1st-Ever Baby Formula NEC Trial

In March 2024, a jury in Illinois awarded $60 million to the parents of a baby who died after being fed cow’s milk-based Enfamil infant formula in the hospital. Click here to read more.

Nutramigen Baby Formula Recalled

In December 2023, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition recalled about 657,000 cans of Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula after a batch that was sent to Israel tested positive for contamination with the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii. No illnesses were reported in the U.S. or internationally. The recalled batches of infant formula were manufactured in Michigan and distributed in the U.S. primarily in June, July and August 2023, according to the recall.

Gerber Baby Formula Recalled for Infection Risk

In March 2023, Perrigo recalled certain batches of Gerber® Good Start® SoothePro Baby Formula due to a risk of severe, life-threatening infections with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. No infections were reported, but infections with Cronobacter can cause meningitis, sepsis, intestinal infections, or death.

Enfamil ProSobee Baby Formula Recalled

In February 2023, Reckitt recalled about 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee Plant-Based Infant Formula due to a risk of infections with Cronobacter sakazakii.

The recall includes two batches of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula (12.9-oz. cans) with Batch Codes ZL2HZF or ZL2HZZ, and also both a UPC Code of 300871214415 and a Use-By Date of “1 Mar 2024.”

ByHeart Baby Formula Recall

In December 2022, certain batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula were recalled because they may have been cross-contaminated with the bacteria Cronbacter sakazakii during the canning process.

No infections were reported, but Cronbacter is particularly dangerous for babies. Earlier this year, Cronobacter contamination in Similac formula was linked to multiple illnesses and deaths in Texas and other states.

The recall involves ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 0-12 Months in 24 oz containers. The recall includes the following 5 batch codes: 22273 C1, 22276 C1, 22277 C1, 22278 C1, or 22280 C1, which can be found printed on the bottom of the can.

Bottles of Liquid Similac® Recalled for Spoilage Risk

In October 2022, Abbott recalled certain 2-oz. bottles of liquid Similac® baby formula and other liquid products because the lid may not be sealed completely, which poses a spoilage risk.

“If spoiled product is consumed, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting may occur,” the recall warns.

For a full list of recalled lot numbers, visit www.similacrecall.com. The recall includes the following products:

Similac® Pro-Total ComfortTM
Similac® 360 Total Care®
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive
Similac® Special Care® 24
Similac Stage 1
Similac® NeoSure®
Similac Water (Sterilized)
Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution

Baby Formula Lawsuits Nationwide Centralized in Illinois

In April 2022, federal judges decided to centralize more than 36 separate baby formula lawsuits for NEC into one federal court, under one judge in Illinois. What that means is that future baby formula lawsuits will be centralized in Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 3026) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer — IN RE: Abbott Laboratories, et al., Preterm Infant Nutrition Products Liability Litigation.

Baby Formula Recall

In February 2022, Abbott Laboratories recalled a massive amount of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare baby formula after it was linked to a deadly outbreak of Cronobacter infections in Texas.

At least 4 babies were hospitalized with Cronobacter infections, including 2 babies who died. The infections occurred in Texas, Ohio, and Minnesota between September 2021 and January 2022, according to the CDC outbreak investigation.

The recall involves the following types of powdered infant formula:

Similac, Alimentum and EleCare
Product code: First two digits are 22 through 37
The code on the container contains “K8,” “SH,” or “Z2”
Expiration date: 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

The following products are included in the recall if they have all three items below:

the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later

Similac Products
Abbott Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Advance
Abbott Similac Advance Step-1
Abbott Similac Advance Step-2
Abbott Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Human Milk Fortifier
Abbott Similac Organic
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Toddler Drink
Abbott Similac Organic Toddler with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive
Abbott Similac Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive Lactose Sensitivity
Abbott Similac for Supplementation
Abbott Similac For Spit Up Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Total Comfort
Abbott Similac Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott Similac PM 60/40 – only lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case)

Alimentum Products
Abbott Infant Formula Powder
Abbott Similac Alimentum
Abbott Similac Alimentum Allergies & Colic Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum with 2′-FL HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum Eye Q Plus
Abbott Similac Alimentum HMO
Abbott Alimentum HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum infant formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Alimentum Toddler Drink

EleCare Products
Abbott EleCare
Abbott EleCare Amino Acid-Based Powder Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott EleCare Infant Formula Unflavoured
Abbott EleCare Junior Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Similac Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Unflavored
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Banana
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
EleCare LCP Hypoallergenic

What is Cronobacter?

The recalled baby formula may have been contaminated with Cronobacter sakasakii, which is a type of bacteria that can live in very dry foods. Illnesses are rare, but they are often deadly for babies.

Symptoms of Cronobacter Infections

The first symptoms of Cronobacter infection in infants (0–1 year old) may include:

Fever
Poor feeding
Excessive crying
Very low energy
Seizures

Complications of Cronobacter Infections

Cronobacter can spread beyond the baby’s digestive system to the bloodstream, causing a blood infection (sepsis). The infection can also spread to the central nervous system and cause meningitis, which often results in permanent brain damage or death, especially in babies who are younger than 2 months of age when they are infected.

Baby Formula Lawsuits for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

A growing number of lawsuits have been filed by angry parents who only learned about the link between baby formula and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) after the serious injury or death of their infant.

Many of these lawsuits involve Similac (manufactured by Abbott Laboratories) and Enfamil (manufactured by Mead Johnson & Co.).

These lawsuits cite studies dating back to the 1990s linking cow’s milk-based formulas with a 6-10X higher risk of NEC compared to breast milk in a premature baby. (Source: “Breast milk and neonatal necrotising enterocolitis”). Lawsuits accuse formula-makers of failing to warn about the risk.

What is NEC?

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease that causes inflammation and death of intestinal tissue. NEC almost always occurs in infants who are premature or sick, especially if they are fed formula instead of human breastmilk.

Baby Formula Labels Lack Warnings About NEC

NEC is a well-known side effect of baby formula, but the label on Similac has no warnings about NEC, and only vaguely informs parents that “very low birth-weight infants are particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal complications.” The label on Enfamil has no warnings about NEC or any other intestinal complications for premature babies.

Why Do Hospitals Give Formula to Premature Infants?

Premature babies are commonly fed formula, milk fortifier and/or formula mixed with breastmilk in the hospital. Premature babies may not be strong enough to breastfeed effectively, mothers may not have enough milk supply, and premature babies need to grow rapidly.

What is the Problem?

The problem is that infants often have a hard time digesting formula because their gut is not developed enough to break down the cow’s milk proteins and other ingredients. This can rapidly lead to severe inflammation and a heavy overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines.

The inflammation and bacterial overload can cause the intestinal wall to die (called “necrosis”) and a hole in the intestines (called a “perforation”), which allows bacteria to leak into the abdominal cavity.

Dead tissue in the intestines will never heal, so the baby may need an emergency surgery to remove the necrotic sections of their intestines. Tragically, many infections spiral out of control within hours or days.

Symptoms of NEC

Belly is red, swollen and tender
Poor feeding
Failure to thrive
Constipation or diarrhea with bloody stool
Green or yellow vomit
Sleepiness or less activity
Low blood pressure
Slow heart-rate
Pauses in breathing

Need a Baby Formula Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.