ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

AUBURN, June 11--- Mead Johnson Nutritionals is recalling approximately 7,000 cases of 8-ounce, ready-to-use ProSobee infant formula sold in four-pack fiberboard cartons. No other batches of 8-ounce ProSobee and other forms of ProSobee - powder, liquid concentrate or 32-ounce ready-to-use -- are affected.

The batch in question, coded INOV99/PROSOB/AKN13, began shipping to stores late last year. The recalled ProSobee was distributed nationwide through retail stores and pharmacies.

One can in the batch was found to be mislabeled as ProSobee when in fact it contained Vanilla Sustacal.  The mislabeled can was coded 1MAY00/VSUST/AKN43H.  Sustacal, an adult nutritional supplement, contains both milk and soy proteins.  There is a possibility that a few more cans may be mislabeled.

The composition of Sustacal differs from ProSobee in caloric density, nutrient and water content.  Sustacal also looks, smells and tastes  different. For infants who are ill and at risk of dehydration, highly sensitive to milk proteins, or have galactosemia, use of the mislabeled product may cause severe medical problems.

The recall was initiated after the Mead Johnson Nutritionals Customer Resource Center received a telephone call from a parent who noted physical and organoleptic (smell) differences between one can of  ProSobee and other cans used previously.  After investigation, it was  determined the can in question bore the embossed identification of another Mead Johnson product, Vanilla Sustacal.  The three other cans in the four-pack carton were correctly labeled infant formula.

No illness related to this batch of ProSobee has been reported to Mead Johnson.  However, parents should check cans of 8-ounce ready-to-use ProSobee for the codes listed.   Any cans with these codes should be returned  to Mead Johnson Nutritionals.  Consumers can call 1-888-587-7275 for return instructions.

"As a company trusted by parents throughout the world, we won't take chances with our products or our customers," said Dr. J. Roberto Moran, vice president, medical affairs, Mead Johnson Nutritionals.  "We are taking these extra precautionary  measures to minimize any risks to infants in the extremely unlikely event of exposure."

Parents with questions regarding the recall may call the Mead Johnson Customer Resource Center at 1-888-587-7275.
 

SOURCE:  DR. JEAN WEESE, Extension food scientist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-3269.