RECKITT STANDS BY THE SAFETY OF ITS INFANT FORMULA
PRODUCTS
Statement is in response to a verdict received in
Illinois state court on 13 March in one case concerning Necrotising
enterocolotis (NEC)
Reckitt/Mead Johnson stands by the
safety of our products. We strongly reject any assertion that
any of our products cause NEC, a serious gastrointestinal problem
that mostly affects premature infants.
While we continue to offer our
deepest condolences to Ms. Watson, we strongly disagree with the
jury's decision to fault Mead Johnson and award damages. We
continue to believe that the allegations from the plaintiff's
lawyers in this case were not supported by the science or experts
in the medical community. This was underscored during the
trial by a dozen neonatologists.
It is important to note that this is
a single verdict in a single case and should not be
extrapolated.
This case, and others like it,
exclusively involve products used under the strict supervision of
neonatologists in neonatal intensive care units and provide
lifesaving nutrition options for vulnerable premature
infants.
We are of course, surprised and
deeply disappointed with the verdict and will pursue all options to
have it overturned.
http://www.reckitt.com/thisisreckitt
-ENDS-
CONTACT DETAILS:
Richard Joyce, Investor Relations,
Reckitt: Richard.Joyce@reckitt.com
Patty O'Hayer, External Affairs, Reckitt:
Patty.OHayer@reckitt.com
About Reckitt:
Reckitt* exists to protect, heal and nurture in
the pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access
to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a
right, not a privilege.
Reckitt is the company behind some of the
world's most recognisable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene,
health and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang,
Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol,
Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet,
Woolite and more.
Every day, around 30 million Reckitt products
are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek
out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and
build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right
thing, always.
We are a diverse global team of c. 40,000
colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions
of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet and a fairer
society. Find out more, or get in touch with us at
www.reckitt.com
* Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt
Benckiser group of companies
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc's LEI
code is 5493003JFSMOJG48V108