FDA Issues Warning Letters to Walmart and Target Over Sale of Recalled Baby Formula

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four major retailers for continuing to sell baby formula linked to a nationwide outbreak of bacterial illness in infants, despite the products being recalled. This information was made public on the FDA’s website on Monday.

Retail giants Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons were found to have kept the recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on their shelves even after being notified of the recall in November. The FDA’s letters, dated December 12, highlight this serious oversight.

The bacterial illness in question is known as infant botulism. It occurs when infants ingest spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can thrive in their immature digestive systems and produce a dangerous toxin. Symptoms of this illness include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, infants may experience breathing problems.

As of last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an outbreak of infant botulism has affected 51 infants across 19 states. The ages of the affected babies range from approximately two weeks to nearly nine months.

ByHeart initially recalled specific lots of its formula last month, but expanded the recall just three days later to include all of its infant formula products. This recall encompassed both cans and single-serve stick packs.

At Walmart, the recalled products were discovered in stores across 21 states. In a letter addressed to Target, the FDA noted that officials in Arkansas found the company offering a $2 discount on the recalled formula from November 16 to November 22. Target had the recalled formula available in stores across 20 states.

Store employees provided various explanations for the continued presence of the recalled products on shelves. These included a lack of awareness about the recall, confusion regarding which products were affected, and failure to remove all impacted items, according to the FDA.

The FDA has given the retailers a deadline of 15 working days to explain the measures they have taken to prevent similar violations in the future. The agency has warned that failure to address these issues could lead to legal actions, including product seizures.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four major retailers for continuing to sell baby formula linked to a nationwide outbreak of bacterial illness in infants, despite the products being recalled. This information was made public on the FDA’s website on Monday.

Retail giants Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons were found to have kept the recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on their shelves even after being notified of the recall in November. The FDA’s letters, dated December 12, highlight this serious oversight.

The bacterial illness in question is known as infant botulism. It occurs when infants ingest spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can thrive in their immature digestive systems and produce a dangerous toxin. Symptoms of this illness include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, infants may experience breathing problems.

As of last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an outbreak of infant botulism has affected 51 infants across 19 states. The ages of the affected babies range from approximately two weeks to nearly nine months.

ByHeart initially recalled specific lots of its formula last month, but expanded the recall just three days later to include all of its infant formula products. This recall encompassed both cans and single-serve stick packs.

At Walmart, the recalled products were discovered in stores across 21 states. In a letter addressed to Target, the FDA noted that officials in Arkansas found the company offering a $2 discount on the recalled formula from November 16 to November 22. Target had the recalled formula available in stores across 20 states.

Store employees provided various explanations for the continued presence of the recalled products on shelves. These included a lack of awareness about the recall, confusion regarding which products were affected, and failure to remove all impacted items, according to the FDA.

The FDA has given the retailers a deadline of 15 working days to explain the measures they have taken to prevent similar violations in the future. The agency has warned that failure to address these issues could lead to legal actions, including product seizures.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)