CPSC Gets Report on Formula Mixer After 10-Month-Old’s Legionnaires Case
Updated
Updated · CDC · Jun 17
CPSC Gets Report on Formula Mixer After 10-Month-Old’s Legionnaires Case
1 articles · Updated · CDC · Jun 17
Summary
A health care provider filed a Consumer Product Safety Commission report on Feb. 15 after investigators linked a 10-month-old infant’s Legionnaires disease to a home powdered-formula mixing device.
Testing found Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in the device’s water reservoir at 72.5 CFU/mL and in the kitchen faucet water used to fill it at 0.7–3.0 CFU/mL.
The device held water at 106°F, and the family had not fully emptied or drained it for more than 30 days; the under-sink filter also removed chlorine, conditions that could promote bacterial growth.
The immunocompromised infant was hospitalized Nov. 17, improved after targeted antibiotics, then was readmitted Dec. 15 with persistent infection before recovering and being discharged Dec. 24.
CDC said ready-to-feed formula may be safer for immunocompromised infants, and if powdered formula is used, water should be heated to at least 158°F before mixing; manufacturers may need stronger cleaning and design guidance.
This infant's rare infection came from a kitchen device. Are other home appliances silently breeding deadly bacteria?
Federal regulators were warned about the device in February. Why is it still on store shelves today?
Legionella Outbreak in Baby Formula Mixer: June 2026 NYC Case Highlights Systemic Infant Product Safety Risks
Overview
In June 2026, a 10-month-old infant in New York City was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, which was quickly traced to a Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced device used at home. Health officials found that the device's water tank contained the same strain of Legionella pneumophila as in the infant, and the device had not been cleaned as recommended, leading to visible mold and biofilm buildup. This incident highlights how improper maintenance of formula mixers can create dangerous conditions for bacterial growth, emphasizing the importance of regular cleaning to protect infant health.