Water For Infants Recalled after Company Receives Complaints of Mold

The Kroger Company has recalled one gallon containers of Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added after receiving complaints about mold in the product.  The mold may or may not be visible.  The main issue with this mold,Talaromyces penicillium, is that some can have an allergic reaction to it.   Infants with impaired immune systems can be susceptible to infection.

The water in this case was steam distilled water and then minerals and fluoride were added back.  Minerals include potassium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.  These are not items that we would expect to support mold growth.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm587618.htm
FDA Alerts Consumers to Recall of Certain Comforts FOR BABY Water with Fluoride
For Immediate Release
December 4, 2017
Contact
Consumers 1-888-SAFEFOOD

Announcement

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting the public to a recall of Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride with certain sell by dates, sold by Kroger in various affiliated stores, due to potential mold contamination.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The Kroger Company has recalled Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added 1 GAL (3.78 L) with sell by dates from 4/26/2018 to 10/10/2018, after receiving complaints about mold in the product. Testing by Kroger has identified the mold as Talaromyces penicillium. The water is sold in clear containers, but the mold may not be visible with the naked eye.

The FDA is issuing this consumer alert to reach parents and caregivers who may have bought the product, which is intended for infants.

The products were distributed to Kroger stores, including Food 4 Less, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Payless Super Market, and Ruler stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Kroger Company has instructed its stores to remove the recalled products.

The recalled products are labeled with the UPC Code 0 41260 37597 2 and the plant code 51-4140. The labels also state DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202.

The recalled products have sell by dates from 4/26/2018 – 10/10/2018.

If you have purchased this water return it to the store for a refund.

What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Molds and to Talaromyces penicillium?

In general, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Allergic reactions to molds are common and can happen immediately after touching or inhaling mold spores, or later. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are also allergic to mold. Molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, even in people who aren’t allergic to them.

Who is at Risk?

Drinking water or other products contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium may affect infants who have HIV or other conditions that cause immune compromise. Consult your health care professional if you believe your infant may be affected.

What Specific Products are in Question?

Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added
1 GAL (3.78 L)
UPC Code: 0 41260 37597 2
Plant Code: 514140
DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202
The recalled products have sell by dates from 4/26/2018 – 10/10/2018.

What Do Retailers Need To Do?

These products are sold exclusively by Kroger and affiliated stores, which have been instructed by Kroger Company to remove the products from shelves.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

If you bought this product, do not use it, return it to the store for a refund.

Drinking water or other products contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium may affect infants who have HIV or other conditions that cause immune compromise. These individuals may become infected and this may lead to serious health consequences. Consult your health care professional if you believe your infant may be affected.

Who Should be Contacted?

The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult the fda.gov website: http://www.fda.gov.