Wal-Mart Pulls Infant Formula After Death of a Missouri Baby

Wal-Mart has pulled Enfamil Newborn formula from its shelves. The company made the decision when the Lebanon store pulled its stock of the formula after a 10-day-old baby died Sunday.

Wal-Mart corporation volunteered to remove the product from the shelve without waiting for the FDA to issue a recall of the baby formula.

The Lebanon Daily Record reports Avery Cornett's family took him to a local hospital when he showed signs of lethargy and stomach discomfort. According to the newspaper, tests showed Avery had contracted a rare bacteria which can be found in contaminated infant formula.

Product information

• 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder 
• Lot number ZP1K7G
• Return Enfamil Newborn powdered formula to Walmart for a refund or exchange it for another brand.

The Food and Drug Administration has not issued an official recall of the product, which is formulated for babies up to three months old. 

A report in the Washington Post quotes Wal-Mart spokeswoman Dianna Gee, who said the company decided to pull the lot “out of an abundance of caution” while health officials further investigate Sunday’s death.

Missouri Department of Health is advising parents to follow safety guidelines for preparing any infant formula:

• Wash hands with soap and water.
• Sterilize feeding equipment in hot soapy water.
• Prepare formula for one feeding at a time.

The  in Mehlville is at 3270 Telegraph Road.