Statement re NEC Litigation

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

15 March 2024

 

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: [e-mail]

Patty O'Hayer, External Affairs, Reckitt: [e-mail]

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

 

END