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

 has voluntarily removed Enfamil Newborn formula from its shelves.

The store chain began the action in Lebanon, MO, pulling its stock of the formula after a 10-day-old baby died Sunday.

The Wal-Mart in Richland Township is participating in the product removal. In fact, the item was not even in stock when workers went to pull it from the shelves, said manager Jamie Baily. 

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 that can be found in contaminated infant formula.

• Where is Lebanon, MO? 

• Watch: News story about Avery Cornett from KY3-TV, Springfield, MO 
  

Affected formula:

• 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder 
• Lot number ZP1K7G
• Return Enfamil Newborn powdered formula to Wal-Mart 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.

STLToday.com reports the 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.