Judge Orders Retrial in Premature Infant Formula Case Involving Abbott and Reckitt

The decision overturns a 2024 jury verdict that cleared the companies of liability for a severe intestinal disease linked to their products.

A St. Louis judge has granted a retrial in a case where Abbott Laboratories and Reckitt were previously found not liable for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a premature infant.
The judge cited errors and misconduct in the original trial, including the introduction of inadmissible evidence that undermined the judicial process.
Abbott and Reckitt both plan to appeal the decision, maintaining that their products do not cause NEC and highlighting support from scientific and regulatory consensus.
This case is one of nearly 1,500 lawsuits the companies face over claims that their cow’s milk-based formulas contributed to NEC in premature infants.
The legal battles raise concerns about the future availability of specialized formulas for preterm babies, which some medical experts say are essential when breast milk is unavailable.