Infant Formula Resources

Two Formula Recalls

Voluntary Recall of Certain Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula

On Friday, March 17, 2023, Perrigo issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of Gerber Good Start SoothePro powdered infant formula out of an abundance of caution due to the potential presence of the bacteria Cronobacter. Perrigo’s announcement indicates that no distributed product has tested positive for the presence of the bacteria and no adverse events have been reported. Consumers who purchased Gerber Good Start SoothePro after March 5, 2023 should check their formula’s Lot Codes and “use by” dates, which can be found on the bottom of the package. See list of Lot Codes and “use by” dates in an NCDHHS news release. 

If your product is affected by the recall, do not use it. Use an alternate product, such as another standard milk-based formula or breast milk, for your infant and talk to your pediatrician or health care provider about any concerns you may have.

Parents and caregivers of infants, including WIC participants, who have purchased this product should contact Gerber Parent Resource Center at 1-800-777-7690 to learn more, as well as to request refunds for impacted products.

For additional details about this recall, visit NCDHHS Press Release: Voluntary Recall of Certain Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula.

Voluntary Recall of Enfamil ProSobee Infant Formula

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, Reckitt (Mead Johnson Nutrition) voluntarily recalled a very small amount of Enfamil ProSobee Infant Formula. The recall includes two batches of 12.9 oz. containers manufactured between August 2022 and September 2022 that were distributed through retail stores nationwide in the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico. No illnesses have been reported and no other ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula batches or other Reckitt products are impacted

Parents and caregivers of infants, including WIC participants, who have purchased this product should contact Reckitt at 1-800-479-0551 or by email at consumer.relations@rb.com. 

Parents and caregivers of infants who have used this product and are concerned about the health of their child should contact their health care provider.

For additional details about this recall, visit: ProSobee Recall 2023 | Enfamil US
NCDHHS works in partnership with parents, caregivers, medical providers and WIC agencies to ensure safe and nutritious options for North Carolina families to feed infants. We have developed resources to support you and your baby.

Important Reminders

  • Remember that most families have multiple safe options for their infants even if their usual formula is not in stock. This graphic of standard formula options can help you make decisions (English, Spanish). If you can’t find formula or can’t find your baby’s typical formula, work with your child’s health care provider to determine the best feeding plan.
  • Do NOT water down your baby’s formula to stretch it out, it can be extremely dangerous to your baby to do so.
  • Do NOT make homemade formula. A baby's nutritional needs are very specific, and homemade formula may contain too little or too much of certain vitamins and minerals, like iron. 
  • Do NOT buy formula from online auctions, unknown individuals, or unknown origins. Storage and shipping conditions may impact formula safety.

Infant Formula Resources for Families

Learn more about available resources and guidance on what families can do and what to avoid:

Additional Information for WIC Participants

NCDHHS supports families participating in WIC in breastfeeding and using formula. Visit the WIC website to get the latest resources for WIC participants.

Breastfeeding Resources and Support

Breastfeeding is an important option for many families. These handouts provide information and resources to support you:

More information is available at these sites:
WIC Breastfeeding Resources
NC Making It Work Toolkit
Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute
American Academy of Pediatrics

Information on Formula Imported from Other Countries

The federal government has made changes to allow more infant formula from other countries to be sold in the United States. Families can follow updates and product information on the FDA’s website.

With more formula from other countries on store shelves, review these recommendations for using imported formula:

  • Follow the mixing instructions on the product label. These instructions may be very different from what you are used to. Some instructions will be in metric units. For more information, review the FDA’s Tips for Preparing Imported Infant Formula. 
  • Do not try to import formula yourself, because you can't be sure it meets U.S. safety standards. Rely on what has been approved by the FDA. Contact your pediatrician if you are unsure if a formula has been properly imported.  
  • Imported formulas may be labeled as "Stage 1" (for the first six months after birth, but generally can be used throughout the first year), and "Stage 2" (just for babies who are over 6 months of age).  
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics also has helpful guidance on using imported formula

Download social media graphics to help families safely use formula imported from other countries.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: English and Spanish

Infant Formula Resources for Health Care Providers