Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) - Premature Baby Formula Class Action Lawsuit

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CONSUMER LAW GROUP is investigating a Canada-wide class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of Similac and Enfamil on behalf of parents of premature babies who developed necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, after consuming toxic cow’s milk-based formulas produced by these companies.

The manufacturers of Similac and Enfamil, Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories, should have warned about the risk of NEC in their baby formula products, but instead, failed to do so and continued to market these products as safe.

NEC is a rare, but serious, gastrointestinal condition that causes intestinal tissue death and may be fatal in as many as 50% of cases. It causes intestinal inflammation that may cause holes in the intestine. Bacteria from the intestine can leak into the abdomen or blood, causing serious illness or deadly blood infections. This can cause conditions such as the following:

- Stunted growth and developmental delays
- Abdominal infection (such as peritonitis), which can increase the risk of sepsis
- Intestinal stricture, which is the narrowing of the baby’s intestines
- Short bowel syndrome, a condition which makes it difficult for the body to absorb fluids and nutrients

The baby formula brands include several Similac and Enfamil cow’s milk baby formulas. Premature babies fed these formulas were at a significantly higher risk of developing NEC than those fed human milk exclusively, according to an observational study published in Neonatology.

Another study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found the risks were lower in breastfed babies than in those fed a combination of mother’s milk and infant formula.

The Enfamil and Similac products have no warnings about NEC as a side effect of baby formula or proper instructions or guidelines for their use. The companies also marketed their products as safe and beneficial for premature infants in spite of the potential risks.

In addition, and as reported by the World Health Organization, “the formula milk industry’s marketing tactics are exploitative and urgent clampdowns are needed to tackle misleading claims and political interference”.

If you or someone you know had a premature infant diagnosed with NEC after being fed these Similac and Enfamil baby food formulas, and you wish more information on potential compensation or to be kept advised of the status of the Premature Baby Formula Class Action Lawsuit or any resulting compensation thereof in Canada, please provide your contact information to our law firm using the form below.

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE CLASS ACTION OR TO SIMPLY GET MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW. Please note that providing your information creates no financial obligation for you. You are not charged any fee or cost for joining this class action. Our law firm is paid a contingency fee from the compensation recovered, only if the class action is successful. All information contained in this transmission is confidential and Consumer Law Group agrees to protect this information against unauthorized use, publication or disclosure.