Wal-Mart pulls formula after Mo. baby’s death

LEBANON, Mo. — Wal-Mart says it has pulled a batch of powdered infant formula from stores nationwide after a newborn Missouri boy became gravely ill with a suspected infection and died after being taken off life support. Wal-Mart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said today the move is cautionary as health officials investigate Sunday’s death of 10-day-old Avery Cornett of Lebanon, Mo. No government recall has been ordered for the 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder with the lot number ZP1J7G. The Lebanon Daily Record reports (http://bit.ly/vwyAs5 ) Avery received a preliminary diagnosis of infection from a rare bacterium called Cronobacter sakazakii. The formula’s manufacturer, Mead Johnson Nutrition, says the batch Wal-Mart pulled tested negative for the bacterium. Spokesman Christopher Perille says numerous companies sell the formula, though it’s unclear if others sold from that batch.