Proposed Similac recall settlement would resolve personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits linked to infant formula contaminated with cronobacter and salmonella.
Government oversight report calls for stronger FDA authority and training to respond to infant formula manufacturing problems in the future.
Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled infant formula products immediately and report any health concerns to their healthcare provider.
The parents of a Missouri child who suffered brain damage in March plan to file a Similac infant formula lawsuit, alleging that additional batches of powered formula have been contaminated since a massive recall last year.
Bellwether claims involve infants diagnosed with salmonella, cronobacter and meningitis injuries linked to contaminated Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formula recalled in 2022.
Court also plans to hold a series of early bellwether trials for lawsuits brought by families of children injured by contaminated formula, to help the parties negotiate a Similac recall settlement that resolves all claims.
The new infant formula regulations focus on manufacturers immediately notifying the FDA of any nutritional deficiencies or contamination problems.
The FDA has issued a number of letters to the infant formula manufacturing industry in recent months, warning about safety violations and urging companies to inform the agency of any potential baby food contamination.
Officials are requiring several infant formula manufacturers to sanitize their production plants after identifying cronobacter contamination that could pose serious health risks to infants.
Proposal calls for lawsuits over recalled Similac, Alimentum and Elecare products to be selected as early test cases, involving allegations children were sickened or killed by contaminated baby formula
