A Mom Said Infant Formula Killed Her Baby. The Manufacturer Closed the File.

When makers of infant formula hear that babies got sick or died while using their products, what happens next is left largely to the manufacturers. They decide whether to inform the FDA about possible harm, which could trigger steps to protect the public.

By: David Hilzenrath & Holly K. Hacker

Outlets: KFF Health News

Published: July 2, 2026

Words: 3,418

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

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In September 2016, a distraught mother sent infant formula maker Mead Johnson a message:

“REMOVE ME FROM YOUR LIST!!!! DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL ME ANY MORE!

“It is because of your animal based pre-term artificial baby food crap that you peddle to hospital NICU’s that my son is dead from NEC.”

The mother was referring to neonatal intensive care units and necrotizing enterocolitis, an often fatal condition in which intestinal tissue can die and …

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