Updated: Statement from Mead Johnson on Enfamil PREMIUM® Newborn Safety

For over 100 years Mead Johnson has been trusted by parents and healthcare professionals around the world to provide nutrition for their infants and children. That trust is earned based on the knowledge that every product we manufacture is safe and of the highest quality. All of our infant formula products sold around the world undergo more than 2,300 quality tests before they are shipped to retailers and other customers. Importantly, the standards we set always meet – and often exceed – those set by global regulatory bodies, including the CODEX and United States Food & Drug Administration. It is for this reason that we can say with confidence that every infant formula Mead Johnson manufactures is safe.

As a company that is dedicated to the health and well-being of babies, Mead Johnson is tremendously saddened by the recent death of a newborn boy in Missouri and our hearts go out to his family.

The infant in Missouri tested positive for Cronobacter (Enterobacter Sakazakii), a microorganism sometimes associated with rare but serious illness in newborn babies. The health authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the infection and are expected to be testing a variety of possible sources. Cronobacter is ubiquitous in the environment and can be found on clothing, bedding, infant formula, nursery water and preparation and use surfaces. The formula being checked is one specific batch of Enfamil Premium Newborn 12.5 ounce powder with number ZP1K7G on the bottom of the can. Our records confirm the batch tested negative Cronobacter when it was produced and packaged. Further, the batches produced both before and after the one used by the infant’s family tested negative for the bacteria as well.

We continue to cooperate with and support the FDA and other health officials investigating the Missouri case to identify how the boy became infected in order to help bring closure for his family. We also want to ensure that parents, healthcare professionals, retailers, business partners and the general public have accurate facts about the situation.

It is important for everyone to know that none of our products have been recalled. However, some retailers have removed batch ZP1K7G Enfamil Premium Newborn 12. 5 ounce powder from their shelves as a precautionary measure, until the FDA completes its investigation. Despite that action, all of the Mead Johnson brands remain on shelf to meet the important nutritional needs of infants and children – from our routine nutritional products to our solutions products addressing various allergies to our specialty products for those with serious medical conditions and metabolic disorders.

We know that people everywhere put their faith in Mead Johnson and in the Enfamil brand, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We will continue to take all appropriate steps and deliver on our Mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life.

We are working hard to make sure that you have the information you need. We are providing messaging through our websites – www.enfamil.com and www.mjn.com – and to help ensure that you can get any questions answered promptly and courteously, you may call our Consumer Resource Center at 1-800-BABY-123.

12/23/2011