Iowa City and Coralville Walmarts Pull Enfamil Newborn Formula Powder After Infant's Death

Walmart is voluntarily pulling specific lots of Enfamil Newborn powdered baby formula from 3,000 of its stores after a Missouri infant who was fed the product bought from a Walmart died of a rare bacterial infection on Sunday.

This decision includes the Walmarts in both Iowa City and Coralville, according to managers of both locations.

"Yeah, we've received that info and we've taken care of that here," said Kurt Penfold, manager of the at 1001 Highway 1 West.

Penfold said all of the formula of that specific lot number had been taken down as of yesterday.

The Lebanon Daily Record reports that the investigation continues into the death of 10-day old Avery Cornett, from a bacterial disease known as Cronobacter sakazakii, which can sometimes be found in contaminated baby formula. Cornett had apparently been fed the baby formula prior to her death.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have removed the remaining product from that store's shelves and we are also notifying all other stores across the country to remove product of the same lot number as well," Walmart spokesperson Dianna Gee told The Daily Record.

Walmart’s recall is voluntary, and was not requested by the federal government. The formula’s maker, Mead Johnson Nutrition, said that the particular batch used by the family tested negative for the bacteria before it was sent. 

No government recall had been ordered for the 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder with the lot number ZP1J7G. Manufacturer Mead Johnson Nutrition said its records showed the lot tested negative for the bacterium before it was shipped.

Walmart said the formula has been pulled from the shelves for precautionary reasons until the investigation is concluded, and concerned customers can return their product for a full refund.