Mom Claims Formula Killed Baby; Mead Johnson Closed File

In September 2016, a mother contacted infant formula manufacturer Mead Johnson with a complaint that their product caused her baby's death, stating, "It is because of your animal based pre-term artificial baby food crap." The mother's message, obtained by MedPage Today, expressed extreme distress and demanded removal from the company's mailing lists.

According to MedPage Today's reporting, Mead Johnson's internal documentation indicated that the company closed the file on this complaint without conducting a comprehensive investigation. The company's response, as detailed in the internal records, suggested that the complaint did not meet the criteria for a "serious adverse event" that would trigger a full inquiry. This classification appears to have been based on the information provided by the mother at the time.

The report highlights a pattern where complaints about infant formula potentially leading to infant deaths or serious health issues were handled with varying degrees of scrutiny. Mead Johnson, now part of Reckitt Benckiser, has faced scrutiny over its product safety protocols in the past. The company has previously stated its commitment to infant safety and rigorous testing of its products.

This specific case raises questions about the adequacy of Mead Johnson's complaint handling procedures in 2016, particularly concerning allegations of severe harm to infants. The decision to close the file without a deeper investigation, based on the available information, could be interpreted as a missed opportunity to identify potential product-related issues. The reporting by MedPage Today relies on internal company documents and communications to detail the handling of this complaint.