Cryptosporidium Infection Prompts FDA Recall of Colic Remedy

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 21 -- The FDA said bottles of Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, which is marketed as a remedy for "colic, hiccups, and teething," may be contaminated with a parasite that causes severe diarrhea.

The FDA said the suspect products are apple flavor and carry the code "26952V" with an expiration date of October 2008 (shown as "10/08") on the label. The products are distributed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., of San Rafael, Calif.

Consumers should dispose of unopened bottles of the product, the FDA said.

The agency said it confirmed the presence of cryptosporidium after investigating the illness of a six-week-old infant in Minnesota who consumed the product.

The most common symptom of infection is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms generally begin two to 10 days after infection with the parasite and generally last one to two weeks.

While most people with healthy immune systems will recover without treatment, the infection could be serious or life-threatening for infants, children, and pregnant women, who are susceptible to dehydration resulting from diarrhea. Individuals with weakened immune systems are also at risk for a more serious form of illness.

The FDA said that about 17,600 bottles of the product have been distributed nationwide in retail stores and sold over the Internet since November 2006.

The product is sold in four-ounce plastic bottles packaged in a cardboard carton labeled "Baby's Bliss. Pediatrician Recommended Gripe Water. Apple Flavor. An herbal supplement used to ease the gas and stomach discomfort often associated with colic, hiccups, and teething."

The FDA, which said that the distributor is cooperating with the agency in a nationwide recall of the product, is continuing its investigation of the supplement.