New Jersey Baby Formula Injury Attorneys

Product liability firm protecting infants injured by dangerous baby food & formula

A top priority for many parents is choosing a baby formula that provides the essential nutrition that will help their infant grow into a healthy toddler. Many parents depend on baby formula to meet the nutritional needs of their baby during the first three to four months of life, then use it to supplement their diet as solid foods are introduced over the first year. Parents put their trust in the manufacturers and advertisers of these products as they make their decision on which baby formula is right for their child.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, we are staunch advocates for product safety, especially when it comes to baby formula. We understand how fragile the first year of life is, and work diligently to protect the rights of consumers who rely on the safety and quality of baby formula available on the market. When the manufacturers of baby formula fail in keeping your baby healthy, our NJ product liability attorneys will work to make things right.

Recent baby formula recalls

Baby formula is a lifesaver for parents – it is shelf stable and provides necessary nutrition for infants, especially babies who are unable to be breastfed. Formula must pass stringent Food & Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, so parents can be assured that what they purchase in the store is safe for their child. However, as we unfortunately know, defective products do sometimes end up on the shelves, and FDA recalls keep consumers aware of any dangerous products.

Some recent notable baby formula recalls include:

  • Parent's Choice Infant Formula, recalled in February 2020 due to the potential presence of metal in lot number C26EVFV. No casualties or injuries reported, and the company took proper measures to avoid harm to consumers.
  • Kirkland Signature Baby Formula, recalled in October 2019 due to probable contamination with Cronobacter spp, which can cause meningitis, enterocolitis, and sepsis in infants.
  • Calcilo XD Formula, recalled in September 2019 for inconsistency in color and smell. Although no injury was reported, the company recalled all batches with UPC 0 70074 53329 2.

If you, as a parent or caretaker, have any concerns about these formulas, you may wish to speak to your child's pediatrician and potentially an experienced attorney.

Recent baby and toddler food recalls

Did you know that a 2019 study showed that 95 percent of baby food tested contained toxic chemicals like arsenic and lead that can lower a child's IQ?

Some notable toddler and baby food recalls include:

  • Hood's Almond Milk, recalled in 2018 due to containing actual dairy milk. This can be very dangerous to children and babies with dairy allergies.
  • Gerber Organic 2nd Foods Pouches, recalled in 2016 for a packaging defect that caused potential spoilage.
  • GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce Pouches, recalled in 2016 for quality concerns after finding food product residue in a Michigan factory.

Often, it is not obvious that a formula or food product is dangerous or defective until your child is already ill or sick. However, there are some steps you can take to keep your child safe.

What are some popular infant formula brands in New Jersey?

The major baby formula brands in the United States and the tri-state area include the following.

Gerber Baby Formula

Gerber is one of the most recognizable names in baby formula and nutritional products for infants and toddlers. The company has been in the baby business since 1927 and has been a trusted source of nutrition over the past 90 years. Its product line includes infant formula, baby formula, toddler food, and snacks. Its current Good Start Staging System formula offers parents a wealth of options to satisfy a variety of nutritional needs for infants and toddlers.

The Gerber Good Start Staging System includes primary infant formula, supplemental protein and probiotic formulas for breast-fed babies, formulas that adapt to the nutritional needs of babies transitioning to solid foods, and soy based formulas for babies with a sensitivity to milk products. The company also has specifically designed formulas that are focused on reducing colic, fussiness, and gas.

Enfamil Baby Formula

Enfamil brand baby formula was first introduced on the market in the 1950s, and was advertised as a formula engineered to be the closest to human breast milk. The company boasts that Enfamil is the brand most recommended by pediatricians and hospitals, and advertises its DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) ingredient, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that purportedly boosts brain power in developing infants. The Enfamil product line offers formulas designed to support nutrition and remedy digestive problems related to gas, spitting up, and cow milk allergies.

Similac Baby Formula

Similac baby formula was first introduced in the 1920s, but was then reformulated in the 1950s. Similac baby formula is specially formulated for sensitive stomachs and advertises its use of organic and non-GMO ingredients. The baby formula comes in a variety of products designed to address a wide range of infant and baby nutritional and digestive needs, including premature infants, protein sensitivities, and supplemental nutrition for babies that suffer from frequent bouts of diarrhea. The company recently added a line of organic fruit and vegetable puree packaged in squeeze packs to be used as a healthy snack.

Important baby formula and food safety tips to remember

Babies and toddlers are quite vulnerable to foodborne illnesses, which is why it is crucial to be take care when preparing formulas and food. You can keep up with FDA recalls at their database site by searching the "Food & Beverages" database. Do not use any recalled product – instead, follow the instructions provided by the FDA or the manufacturer. If you have a recalled product, do keep the packaging and leftover product in the event of legal action down the road.

When preparing baby formula and food:

  • Always wash your hands, which is more important than ever during the current coronavirus pandemic.
  • Check the packaging of the product carefully – is it completely sealed? Is the safety lid of the jar still sealed? Is the package leaking or swollen? Is any packaging broken? Don't use anything that looks like it was packaged improperly or has been tampered with.
  • An open container of infant food lasts only three days in the refrigerator.
  • Avoid feeding your baby directly from the baby food jar or container. This can cause cross-contamination. Spoon into a separate bowl, and toss any leftovers from the bowl.
  • Do not leave open containers of liquid/pureed infant food out at room temperature for more than an hour or two; otherwise harmful bacteria begins to multiply.
  • Do not share spoons with your baby or his/her siblings.
  • Promptly throw away expired foods.
  • In general? "If in doubt, throw it out."

If you follow all of these guidelines and your child suffers harm anyway, it may be worth investigating whether there was an issue with the baby food or formula. At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, we can help find out what made your child sick, and hold the right people accountable.

How our New Jersey attorneys can help you and your child

If your baby was injured by defective or dangerous infant formula, there may be several liable parties – the manufacturer, the wholesaler, or the retailer. The liable party is responsible for your losses, which means financial compensation for your child's medical bills and pain and suffering.

Our attorneys investigate your case from top to bottom to ensure the right people are held liable and accountable. Further, we work not just to protect the rights of your child, but to ensure no more babies suffer injuries due to someone else's negligence.

Experienced NJ baby formula injury law firm

Baby formula and food are essential to a child's development. When defective products get on the shelves, it can put their lives in danger. The injury attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP are here to help. From offices in Edison, Red Bank and Toms River, we are available to represent you in a personal injury or wrongful death litigation matters. Call our qualified NJ product liability lawyers at 732-777-0100 or contact us online to request a free consultation.