Enfamil Lawsuit for NEC Baby Formula Claims [2025 Update]
Lawsuits against Enfamil baby formulas say that Enfamil products led some premature babies to develop a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can be fatal.
Lawsuits filed by parents allege that the makers of Enfamil preterm infant formulas (Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser) did not properly warn parents about the dangers associated with cow-milk-based formulas.
Many preterm babies who were fed Enfamil formulas and nutritional boosters developed NEC and suffered severe or fatal complications. Now, after experiencing profound losses, the parents of those children are filing Enfamil lawsuits to gain compensation and hold the formula maker accountable.
Enfamil Lawsuit Updates [June 2025]
June 3, 2025: Health Secretary Orders FDA Review of Enfamil and Other Formula Products
Health Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. has announced an initiative to review the nutritional value and wholesomeness of formulas sold in the U.S., including Enfamil. The initiative, named “Operation Stork Speed,” is an order to the FDA to review the regulations for infant formulas sold in the U.S. This announcement comes at a time when Enfamil and other formula manufacturers already face lawsuits about the safety of their products. Many parents have filed Enfamil lawsuits after their preterm infants developed a serious condition called NEC, which has been linked to ingredients in Enfamil’s products.
May 13, 2025: More Than 700 Lawsuits Against Enfamil’s Makers, Reckitt and Mead, and Other Baby Formula Companies
There are now more than 700 lawsuits in MDL-3026: IN RE: Abbott Laboratories, et al., Preterm Infant Nutrition Products Liability Litigation, the group lawsuit representing preterm infants who developed NEC. Since 2019, more parents have joined in this fight for justice after their babies developed necrotizing enterocolitis after eating cow’s-milk-based formula. As of May 1, 2025, the total number of claims in this federal multidistrict litigation is 710. Parents continue to file new lawsuits to seek compensation and accountability from Enfamil’s makers.
March 14, 2025: Missouri Judge Awards New Trial in Whitfield Family’s Enfamil Lawsuit
A judge in Missouri has allowed Kaine Whitfield’s family to have a new trial in their case against Reckitt Benckiser, Mead Johnson, and Abbott Laboratories. Kaine was born after 28 weeks of gestation, and he was fed Enfamil formula specifically designed for premature infants. He developed necrotizing enterocolitis and had to undergo several surgeries to save his life. Kaine will have lifelong disabilities because of NEC. His parents believe his NEC was caused by the Enfamil and other formulas. Previously, a jury ruled in favor of the baby formula companies. However, a Missouri judge has overturned this verdict because of substantial misconduct by the defense attorneys. Kaine’s family will get to have a fresh trial, which they hope will lead to a favorable outcome.
July 26, 2024: Another Lawsuit Confirms Link Between NEC and Baby Formulas like Enfamil
Robynn Davis’ mother, Margo Gill, received a $495 million judgment in a baby formula lawsuit. Robynn was born prematurely, and her doctors gave her formula, which is marketed as safe and designed to treat infants like Robynn. Robynn developed a life-threatening condition, necrotizing enterocolitis, and, while she survived, she will have permanent neurological damage because of the experience. Mead Johnson’s Enfamil products have also faced scrutiny because of the increased chance of a baby developing NEC when fed Enfamil formula.
July 7, 2024: Family Receives $60 Million Verdict After Chance Dean’s Enfamil-Related Death
Chance Dean’s family was awarded a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser, which manufactured Enfamil products. Chance and his twin brother Chase were born prematurely and were given Enfamil formula mixed with fortified breast milk. Tragically, Chance developed necrotizing enterocolitis and died just a week after the switch from breast milk to the formula and breast milk combination. The jury believed Mead Johnson and its parent company, Reckitt Benckiser, were aware of the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis when babies are fed Enfamil formula. The jury delivered a verdict in Chance’s family’s favor, finding that Enfamil’s makers should have, but failed to, warn Chance’s family about the dangers of Enfamil formula.
September 24, 2012: Study Discovers Mechanism for Why Formula Like Enfamil Increases NEC Risk in Premature Babies
A new study has uncovered a possible mechanism for why formula increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. The researchers found that infant formula that has been digested by a baby may have unbound free fatty acids that can cause a baby’s intestinal tissue to die. The authors noted that digested fresh human milk did not have the same level of unbound free fatty acids. The researchers indicated that baby formula should be adjusted to help limit the amount of these substances, which may reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
About the Enfamil Lawsuit:
What Is the Enfamil Lawsuit About?
What Is NEC From Enfamil Baby Formula?
Enfamil Ingredients Causing NEC in Premature Babies
What Are the NEC Symptoms From Enfamil Baby Formula?
Studies Link Enfamil to NEC in Premature Babies
Enfamil Manufacturer Response to NEC Baby Formula Lawsuits
Other Lawsuits Involving Enfamil and Mead Johnson
Who Qualifies to File an Enfamil NEC Lawsuit?
How to File an Enfamil Lawsuit
Deadline to File an Enfamil Lawsuit
Enfamil Lawsuit Settlements and Payout Amounts
What Is the Enfamil Lawsuit About?
Parents are suing because they believe Enfamil, a cow’s-milk-based formula, increased their premature baby’s chances of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). For many years, scientists have noted that formula-fed babies have a higher risk of developing NEC compared to their breast-milk-fed peers. Despite the increased risk of NEC, Mead Johnson did not pass this knowledge on to parents and medical providers. Families are suing to recover financial settlements for their immense physical, economic, and psychological losses.
Enfamil Baby Formulas Involved in the NEC Lawsuit
Over a dozen Enfamil baby formulas are accused of causing infants to develop necrotizing enterocolitis, including:
- Enfamil 24 Calorie Formula
- Enfamil Premature 24 Cal
- Enfamil Premature 30 Cal
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Iron Formula 20 Cal
- Enfamil DHA-In-Sol
- Enfamil Enspire
- Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare Premature Baby Formula
- Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease
- Enfamil Nutramigen
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Powder (HCPM)
- Enfamil Liquid Human Milk Fortifier Standard Protein
Many of these formulas and fortifiers are explicitly marketed for premature or at-risk babies. However, these products may be putting these already vulnerable children in harm’s way. Some preterm infants’ underdeveloped intestines are not able to properly break down the milk-based formula.
What Is NEC From Enfamil Baby Formula?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a life-threatening gastrointestinal condition where a baby’s intestinal tissue becomes inflamed, falls off, or dies. The baby may experience significant abdominal pain and discomfort, an inability to feed or keep food down, a torn intestinal wall, or other serious or life-threatening symptoms. Premature babies who are fed cow’s-milk-based formula are more at risk of developing this condition than full-term babies or those fed only human milk.
Premature babies have a higher chance of developing this condition in the first couple of weeks after birth. The treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis can include helping the child breathe or maintain open airways, surgery to remove the infected tissue, and antibiotics.
How Does Enfamil Cause NEC?
Scientists are still researching the exact chain of events that causes a baby to develop necrotizing enterocolitis. However, being born prematurely and being fed baby formula, like those made by Enfamil, are known triggers of this severe condition. Researchers believe the imbalanced proteins in cow’s-milk-based formulas made by Enfamil may lead some preterm babies to develop necrotizing enterocolitis.
Premature babies have an underdeveloped gut, which can make it harder for them to digest different ingredients. Cow’s-milk-based formulas contain proteins (like whey and casein) in higher amounts than in human breast milk. Formulas like Enfamil can overload a baby’s system and disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in their gut, leading to inflammation or a tear in their intestinal walls. As a result, the infants may develop necrotizing enterocolitis.
Enfamil Ingredients Causing NEC in Premature Babies
Some of the ingredients in Enfamil’s formulas that scientists believe are associated with necrotizing enterocolitis include the following:
- Whey protein
- Casein protein
- Additives (like carbohydrates and minerals) that increase the formula’s concentration
The level of whey and casein protein in cow’s milk formula is much higher than in breast milk, which may strain the premature baby’s system. Additionally, studies have confirmed that even formulas or fortifiers made for premature infants do not have some of the protective, healthy bacteria that breast milk contains. The resulting imbalance in the Enfamil formula can increase inflammation, infections, and other complications that can lead to necrotizing enterocolitis.
What Are the NEC Symptoms From Enfamil Baby Formula?
The symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis can come on suddenly and be life-threatening. Symptoms tend to arise within the first three weeks of life, and they can become severe very quickly. Some of the signs that a baby has necrotizing enterocolitis include:
- Swollen or tender abdomen
- Inability to eat or keep food down
- Vomiting, especially if it is green or contains lots of bile
- Bloody or black diarrhea or stools
- Suddenly high or low heart or breathing rate
- Being really tired or “fussy” without an apparent reason
Necrotizing enterocolitis is life-threatening and is a medical emergency. Medical teams have to act quickly to help manage symptoms and keep the baby stable.
Studies Link Enfamil to NEC in Premature Babies
Enfamil and other cow’s-milk-based formulas are a confirmed risk factor for a baby developing necrotizing enterocolitis. Research on the connection between necrotizing enterocolitis and cow’s-milk-based formula began as early as the 1990s. Despite this knowledge, Enfamil’s manufacturers continued to market their premature infant formula as safe, effective, and even preferred over breast milk.
NEC Study: Breast milk and neonatal necrotising enterocolitis
In Breast milk and neonatal necrotising enterocolitis, researchers discovered that formula-fed premature babies were up to 20 times more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis. The study surveyed 926 preterm infants, and 51 of those infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis. Babies fed only formula were 6 to 10 times more likely to have necrotizing enterocolitis than those fed exclusively breast milk. Babies born after 30 weeks of gestation were 20 times more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis if they were only fed formula compared to those fed breast milk.
NEC Study: An Exclusively Human Milk-Based Diet Is Associated with a Lower Rate of Necrotizing Enterocolitis than a Diet of Human Milk and Bovine Milk-Based Products
An Exclusively Human Milk-Based Diet Is Associated with a Lower Rate of Necrotizing Enterocolitis than a Diet of Human Milk and Bovine Milk-Based Products explored the rates of necrotizing enterocolitis in a group of extremely premature infants who were fed breast milk versus cow’s-milk-based formula. The study looked at a group of 207 infants who were fed breast milk, fortified breast milk, or cow’s-milk-based formula like Enfamil. The group who were just given formula to eat had a “significantly lower rates of NEC and surgical NEC.”
NEC Study: Mother’s Own Milk Compared With Formula Milk for Feeding Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Mother’s Own Milk Compared With Formula Milk for Feeding Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis examined the differences in health outcomes for premature babies fed formula versus their mother’s milk. The researchers looked at results for 89,638 preterm babies who were only fed formula or only fed their mother’s milk. The authors discovered that babies who were only given formula were 2.99 times more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis. Moreover, being fed formula did not improve the baby’s growth, neurodevelopment, mortality rates, or likelihood of getting an infection.
Enfamil Manufacturer Response to NEC Baby Formula Lawsuits
Mead Johnson and its parent company, Reckitt Benckiser, deny all liability for their formula allegedly causing premature babies to develop necrotizing enterocolitis. Mead Johnson and Abbott (which makes Similac) continue to claim their formulas are a safe and standard practice to help preterm infants, especially if the mother cannot provide enough breast milk.
Mead Johnson and other companies maintain that their products contain a mix of essential and preferred ingredients to give premature babies the boost they need. They also claim necrotizing enterocolitis can be caused by many different factors, and they believe being fed formula, if it is connected to necrotizing enterocolitis, has a small impact on a baby’s risk.
Mead Johnson and Abbott have lost several cases involving their cow’s-milk-based formulas. One case that ended in the formula company’s favor was overturned because of attorney misconduct on the defense side and procedural errors. In that lawsuit, Mead Johnson and Abbott will face a new trial. Meanwhile, Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser continue to defend their products and fight the allegations.
Other Lawsuits Involving Enfamil and Mead Johnson
Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser have faced other legal actions because of their formula. For example, in February 2023, two batches of Enfamil’s Prosobee plant-based formula were recalled because of potential contamination with the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which can be fatal. A year later, Mead Johnson recalled another 657,000 cans of Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder because they may have also been contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. Now, Mead Johnson is being called to answer allegations over Enfamil’s connection with necrotizing enterocolitis. In 2022, several Enfamil products were part of another formula contamination recall.
Who Qualifies to File an Enfamil NEC Lawsuit?
Parents may qualify to sue Enfamil’s manufacturers, Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser, if their child was born premature, was fed cow’s-milk-based formula, and developed necrotizing enterocolitis. The baby must have been born prematurely on or after January 1, 2006, and been diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis or short bowel syndrome after surgery to remove infected intestines.
If parents are not sure if their infant was fed cow’s-milk-based formula or fortifiers, they may still be able to seek compensation. It is common for the baby’s medical team not to fully disclose what they are feeding the baby or what type of formula is being used. A product liability lawyer can help parents understand if they have the right to sue for damages related to NEC.
How to File an Enfamil Lawsuit
If you believe your baby’s necrotizing enterocolitis was due to the cow’s-milk-based formula they were given in the hospital, you may be entitled to compensation. Some of the formal steps you can follow to seek a settlement include:
- Schedule a consultation with a law firm to determine if you are eligible for damages.
- Work with the lawyer to gather evidence to support your claim.
- Your attorney fills out and files the legal complaint with the proper court.
- Your attorney submits discovery (fact-gathering) requests to Enfamil’s manufacturers.
- Your lawyer and Enfamil’s defense attorneys try to negotiate a settlement.
King Law’s reputable team has helped dozens of clients through the legal process of suing a large company like Mead Johnson. We are prepared to assist you through these steps and complete the technical procedures on your behalf.
Deadline to File an Enfamil Lawsuit
You need to make sure that you file your Enfamil lawsuit before the legal deadline expires. States have laws in place that set time limits on when someone must file a claim against another person or business. These laws, called the statute of limitations, give people a set amount of time to file suit; however, exceptions can make this timeline longer or shorter. Consulting with a lawyer early on can give you an opportunity to identify and meet your deadline so you do not miss out on the chance to seek justice from Enfamil’s producers.
Enfamil Lawsuit Settlements and Payout Amounts
Some parents who bring a successful Enfamil claim may receive a settlement of up to $45,000 to $600,000, or more. That said, each person’s individual payout depends on many different factors, including the severity of the baby’s condition and the medical costs involved in treating the baby’s necrotizing enterocolitis.
Additionally, parents of babies who passed away or will experience permanent losses because of developing necrotizing enterocolitis may receive a higher compensation package. However, no amount of money can truly compensate a parent for the fear and profound loss involved when their baby has necrotizing enterocolitis.
Contact an Enfamil NEC Baby Formula Lawyer Today
Growing evidence shows that Enfamil’s manufacturers, Mead Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser, were aware of the increased risk of babies developing necrotizing enterocolitis after being fed this cow’s-milk-based formula. However, these companies may have chosen not to disclose this to the public, potentially endangering the lives of millions of infants throughout the United States and overseas.
If your baby was born prematurely and fed Enfamil or another cow’s-milk-based formula, you may qualify for compensation. Contact our office today by calling (585) 496-2648 to schedule a no-obligation consultation to talk about your legal rights. King Law’s intake specialists and seasoned lawyers stand ready to take your call and help you find answers.