Dr brown sterilizers

2 reports to CPSC, the latest made Nov 29, 2022. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

2reports to CPSC
Nov 29, 2022the latest report was made
Oct 14, 2022the earliest
1with the company’s comments

Brand: Dr brown
Maker: HANDI-CRAFT COMPANYMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product: SterilizersHome useCPSC’s product type: Sterilizers (Home Use) (code 1511), in Baby: Nursery Equipment & Supplies

Other ways the reports write the brand (1)

“Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow®”

By month

2 reports from December 2021 to November 2022; the most in November 2022, 1.

The numbers, as a table

Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
Month	Reports
November 2022	1
October 2022	1

How badly anyone was hurt

No one hurt 1 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
No incident, no one hurt 1 CPSC: No Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

No incident, no one hurt
Made Nov 29, 2022, sent to the company Dec 9, 2022, published by CPSC Dec 23, 2022

The product, in the report: Bottle sterilizer

We have a bottle sterilizer from Dr. brown and upon use it leaks from the top down into the plug

Model
AC045
Where
Hudson, New Hampshire: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 30, Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Self
As this report names them
Brand Dr brown, made or sold by HANDI-CRAFT COMPANY
How badly, in CPSC’s words
No Incident, No Injury

CPSC report 20221129-08B4A-2147352336. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Oct 14, 2022, sent to the company Nov 3, 2022, published by CPSC Nov 18, 2022

The product, in the report: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Deluxe Baby Bottle Sterilizer, model #AC045 / serial number 21164-27786-02122. This product is used to sterilize infant feeding items and accessories. The set includes a lift-out basket, tongs, and a measuring cup.

Our complaint involves the Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Deluxe Baby Bottle Sterilizer, model #AC045 / serial number 21164-27786-02122. The Instructions for Use (IFU) contain inadequate instructions. IFU includes both the printed and online version as of the date of this complaint. This product is used to sterilize infant feeding items and accessories. The set includes a lift-out basket, tongs, and a measuring cup.
The reason for our complaint:
On multiple occasions, “soot” and an excessive amount of black particles were found inside the machine and inside Dr. Brown’s baby bottle vents after use.
To that end, we have noted the following deficiencies in the labeling material:
The IFU instructs the user to wash, rinse and empty the baby bottles and accessories before running the appliance but does not specifically instruct the user to dry, or air-dry, the items before running the appliance. Drying the bottles prior to running the appliance allows for the removal of residual water leftover from the dishwasher or rinsing process. Residual water left on the outside and/or inside of the bottles and accessories may contaminate the distilled water used to sterilize the bottles, especially if city water is not properly filtered or is hard water, and may exacerbate the build-up of mineral deposits on the heating element surface.
IFU does not specifically instruct the user to visually inspect inside Dr. Brown’s baby bottle vents. Regardless if any foreign matter tested harmless, it is to be expected that baby bottles do not contain foreign particles inadvertently trapped inside Dr. Brown’s bottle vents from either the cleaning process or after using the Dr. Brown’s sterilizer.
The IFU does not specifically instruct the user to stop using the appliance when mineral deposits are present.
The IFU does not instruct the user to re-wash bottles and accessories if black flakes and/or residue is found on the lift-out basket and heating element after using the appliance.
As previously noted, the IFU states, “CAUTION:DO NOT EXCEED the recommended amount of water. If it is necessary to drain water from the base, always POUR AWAY FROM YOU”. We believe this statement does not provide a sufficient caution against leaving residual water to pool on the heating element after a cycle is finished. It is common to have a small volume of water left in the steriliser after a completed cycle. IFU for model AC045 does not instruct the user to empty out any remaining water once the cycle finishes and wipe down all surfaces after each use. Water left inside the machine may exacerbate the build-up of mineral deposits/limescale.
The IFU states, “Before running this appliance, it is important that all bottles, bottle parts and/or other accessories are clean. They must be washed, rinsed and empty.” IFU does not provide a warning to dry all the items prior to using the sterilizer. It is well-known that plastic baby bottle components don’t retain heat well and may have residual water droplets on the outside from the dishwasher drying cycle. Dishwashers use city water, therefore, any water droplets leftover from the drying cycle will most likely exacerbate the build-up of hard-water deposits on the machine.
The “Instructions For Use” states, “Before running this appliance, it is important that all bottles, bottle parts and/or other accessories are clean. They must be washed, rinsed and empty.” At the time of this complaint, we believe the IFU does not provide a sufficient warning to the user to visually inspect baby bottles, bottle parts, and accessories for foreign matter prior to using the sterilizer. A great number of users may be under the assumption that everything that comes out of a dishwasher is clean and rinsed. However, it is not uncommon for debris to get stuck on caps, bottle vents, and nipples.

Model
AC045
Serial number
21164-27786-02122
Bought from
Amazon
Bought
Jan 6, 2022
Where
Florida: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow®, made or sold by HANDI-CRAFT COMPANY
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(11/21/2022) HANDI-CRAFT COMPANY: Handi-Craft Company (“HCC”) is in receipt of Report #20221014-D2E42-2147353339 filed on October 14, 2022, by an unknown submitter who requested not to release any contact information to the manufacturer. Unfortunately, to properly and exhaustively investigate the customer’s concern, we need to evaluate the unit in question and talk to the customer about their experience while using the product. If the customer wishes to contact us directly, Handi-Craft remains willing and able to discuss this further.
HCC investigated and considered the customer’s concerns relating to “soot” and the report of an excessive number of black particles found inside the unit and their concerns relating to the Instruction Manual – Instructions for Use (“IFU”).
Based on the description provided, the “soot” the customer described is an organic matter, likely mineral deposits, built up over time on the aluminum heating element. When the heating element gets hot, the organic matter burns in the sterilizing chamber resulting in the black particles the customer described that were found within the unit. Using non-distilled water can lead to such mineral deposits being calcified on the heating element, and over some time, the minerals break loose, resulting in the non-hazardous particles. The IFU Manual recommends using distilled water; however, if the customer uses non-distilled water, the IFU states that it will require a monthly descaling, and instructions for descaling are also included in the IFU. In addition to this recommendation, the IFU further says, “Please note that hard water may increase buildup or other residues on the heating plate. Therefore, if you have hard water, we recommend using distilled water…and it is important to descale this appliance every four weeks to ensure that it continues to work properly.”
Without the ability to inspect and further evaluate and test the customer’s unit, we firmly believe that the black particles this customer is reporting are small mineral deposits from non-distilled water and is likely the result of not descaling and cleaning the unit as recommended in the IFU.
Instructions For Use (“IFU”)
The customer reported the following concerns in the italic font below:
The IFU instructs the user to wash, rinse and empty the baby bottles and accessories before running the appliance but does not specifically instruct the user to dry, or air-dry, the items before running the appliance. Drying the bottles prior to running the appliance allows for the removal of residual water leftover from the dishwasher or rinsing process. Residual water left on the outside and/or inside of the bottles and accessories may contaminate the distilled water used to sterilize the bottles, especially if city water is not properly filtered or is hard water, and may exacerbate the buildup of mineral deposits on the heating element surface
It is not necessary for components to be completely dry prior to running the sterilizer. The amount of mineral contaminants remaining on all cleaned parts placed in the sterilizer is negligible. The IFU recommends that the customer use distilled water and descale the appliance every four weeks.
IFU does not specifically instruct the user to visually inspect inside Dr. Brown’s baby bottle vents. Regardless if any foreign matter tested harmless, it is to be expected that baby bottles do not contain foreign particles inadvertently trapped inside Dr. Brown’s bottle vents from either the cleaning process or after using the Dr. Brown’s Sterilizer.
Dr. Brown’s bottle instructions include warnings/recommendations to check all parts PRIOR to assembly and feeding. This is a separate set of instructions from the sterilizer. Customers can choose to use Dr. Brown’s Sterilizer with other brands and products, and the warnings and instructions vary by product.
The IFU does not specifically instruct the user to stop using the appliance when mineral deposits are present
The sterilizer functions normally when even moderate mineral deposits are present on the heating element. However, severe mineral buildup may negatively affect the heating capabilities of the unit. We recommend customers use distilled water to minimize mineral buildup on the heating element and clean/descale as recommended in the IFU.
The IFU does not instruct the user to re-wash bottles and accessories if black flakes and/or residue is found on the lift-out basket and heating element after using the appliance.
Dr. Brown’s bottle instructions include warnings/recommendations to check all parts PRIOR to assembly and feeding. This is a separate set of instructions from the sterilizer. Customers can choose to use Dr. Brown’s Sterilizer with other brands and products, and the warnings and instructions vary by product.
As previously noted, the IFU states, “CAUTION:DO NOT EXCEED the recommended amount of water. If it is necessary to drain water from the base, always POUR AWAY FROM YOU”. We believe this statement does not provide a sufficient caution against leaving residual water to pool on the heating element after a cycle is finished. It is common to have a small volume of water left in the steriliser after a completed cycle. IFU for model AC045 does not instruct the user to empty out any remaining water once the cycle finishes and wipe down all surfaces after each use. Water left inside the machine may exacerbate the buildup of mineral deposits/limescale.
The IFU instructs the customer to clean the sterilizer at least once a week when in regular use and provides further instructions and warnings on how to clean the unit. Again it also recommends the customer to descale the unit every four weeks.
The IFU states, “Before running this appliance, it is important that all bottles, bottle parts and/or other accessories are clean. They must be washed, rinsed and empty.” IFU does not provide a warning to dry all the items prior to using the sterilizer. It is well-known that plastic baby bottle components don’t retain heat well and may have residual water droplets on the outside from the dishwasher drying cycle. Dishwashers use city water, therefore, any water droplets leftover from the drying cycle will most likely exacerbate the buildup of hard-water deposits on the machine.
It is not necessary for components to be completely dry prior to running the sterilizer. The amount of mineral contaminants remaining on all cleaned components placed in the sterilizer is negligible. The IFU recommends the customer use distilled water and clean the unit weekly and descale the appliance every four weeks
The “Instructions For Use” states, “Before running this appliance, it is important that all bottles, bottle parts and/or other accessories are clean. They must be washed, rinsed and empty.” At the time of this complaint, we believe the IFU does not provide a sufficient warning to the user to visually inspect baby bottles, bottle parts, and accessories for foreign matter prior to using the sterilizer. A great number of users may be under the assumption that everything that comes out of a dishwasher is clean and rinsed. However, it is not uncommon for debris to get stuck on caps, bottle vents, and nipples
Dr. Brown’s bottle instructions include warnings/recommendations to check all parts PRIOR to assembly and feeding. This is a separate set of instructions from the sterilizer. Customers can choose to use Dr. Brown’s Sterilizer with other brands and products, and the warnings and instructions vary by product.
Handi-Craft cares about issues customers experience with our products. Therefore, if the customer has any questions or comments, or the CPSC would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Deluxe Baby Bottle Sterilizer, Model/Item No. AC045 is tested to and meets all the following standards:
ETL listing # 3187804 ICES-003: 2016 (Issue 6), Updated April 2019 CFR 47, FCC Part 15, Subpart B Canada Household Cooking and Liquid heating appliances - CSA, C22.2 No 64, Issued:2010/03/01 (R2014) Ed.:7, Gen. Inst. 1:2013 Electric Heating Appliances [UL 499:2014 Ed.14+R:23Feb2017] Household Cooking and Liquid-Heating Appliances (R2014) [CSA C22.2#64:2010 Ed.7+G1]
Chemical testing BPA, Lead, Phthalates Canada Consumer Product Safety Act Toys Regulations SOR/2011-17 Section 23 on toxic elements test Canada Consumer Products Containing Lead (Contact with mouth) Regulations U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008 Title I Section 101 for total Lead content in non-surface coating materials (substrate) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008 Title I, Section 101 for total Lead content in surface coating Canada Consumer Product Safety Act Toys Regulation SOR/2011-17 Section 27(3)(d) on phthalate content Bisphenol-A Content

CPSC report 20221014-D2E42-2147353339. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Dr brown sterilizers

At a glance

By month

How badly anyone was hurt

The reports, as CPSC published them

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources

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