Some Gerber Infant Formulas Were Just Recalled—Here’s What We Know

Many parents depend on formula to feed their babies. But unfortunately, issues can prevent you from using your trusted formula. One of these was the recent baby formula shortage, which meant rising prices and low inventory left many parents without critical food to feed their children. But, aside from these U.S. food shortages, there’s another problem parents should keep on their radar: a recent baby formula recall.

Here’s what to know about the Gerber infant formula recall of March 2023.

What Gerber Formulas Were Recalled?

On March 17, 2023, Perrigo Company issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of its Gerber infant formula distributed in the United States, specifically the Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula. The potentially affected formula lots were manufactured at Perrigo Company’s Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin, facility from Jan. 2, 2023, to Jan. 18, 2023.

Why Is Gerber Good Start SoothePro Formula Being Recalled?

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According to the official recall report on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (USDA) website, Perrigo recalled its Gerber Good Start SoothePro Formula out of an “an abundance of caution due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii.” Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cronobacter sakazakii is “a germ found naturally in the environment” which can thrive in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula or in “contaminated feeding items like breast pump equipment.” Cronobacter infections are notably dangerous for babies born prematurely, those younger than two months and those with weakened immune systems.

So what happens if your baby is exposed to Cronobacter? According to a recall report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), “These bacteria can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages and can be very serious in infants.”

Although the FDA states Cronobacter infections typically cause no symptoms, the infection may cause poor or disrupted feeding, low energy, fever, excessive crying or other serious symptoms in at-risk infants. The CDC’s Cronobacter information page also reports that the germ can even cause death in infants susceptible to the infection. Per the NCDHHS, if your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.

How Do I Know If I Have Recalled Formula?

Gerber’s Good Start SoothePro Formula is sold at retailers nationwide, so the recall isn’t contained to a specific region. Therefore, if you purchased any of the potentially affected Gerber infant formula after March 5, 2023, you should check the bottom of the package for its Lot Code and “use by” date.

The following lot codes are being recalled:

• Gerber Good Start SoothePro 12.4 oz:
  300357651Z – USE BY 04JUL2024
  300457651Z – USE BY 05JUL2024
  300557651Z – USE BY 06JUL2024
  300557652Z – USE BY 06JUL2024
  300757651Z – USE BY 08JUL2024
  300857651Z – USE BY 09JUL2024
  301057651Z – USE BY 11JUL2024
  301057652Z – USE BY 11JUL2024
  301157651Z – USE BY 12JUL2024
• Gerber Good Start SoothePro 30.6 oz:
  301357652Z – USE BY 14JUL2024
  301457652Z – USE BY 15JUL2024
  301557651Z – USE BY 16JUL2024
• Gerber Good Start SoothePro 19.4 oz:
  301557652Z – USE BY 16JUL2024

You are in the clear if your infant formula doesn’t match any of the above lot codes. However, if you have a formula matching the recalled items, see below for your next steps.

Perrigo notes in its report that, so far, none of its distributed products have “tested positive for the presence of this bacteria” and as of publication, “no adverse events have been reported.” Furthermore, none of its other products at the affected facility or other facilities are affected by the Good Start recall.

What Should I Do If I Have Recalled Formula?

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If your Gerber Good Start SoothePro infant formula matches one of the affected lot codes, you should discontinue using the formula and dispose of it right away. You may request a refund for an impacted product by contacting the 24-hour phone line for the Gerber Parent Resource Center at 1-800-777-7690. You may also contact the Resource Center for more information about the recall but make sure you direct any health-related questions to your child’s healthcare provider.

This isn’t the first recall of its kind. In 2022, Abbott recalled its baby formula after receiving reports of Cronobacter and Salmonella infections. Make sure you keep up to date with your baby’s food brands!