The FDA first received a report of a foodborne illness suspected to be linked to infant formula in September, four months before issuing a sweeping recall of three major brands after four babies were hospitalized and one died. When the FDA initiated an inspection of an Abbot facility making formula (after the death?), inspectors found Cronobacter sakazakii, a rare but serious foodborne pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections. Helena Bottemiller Evich reports.

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