Reckitt Benckiser’s Mead Johnson unit and Abbott Laboratories have been ordered to face a new trial in the US over allegations their premature infant formula can cause a serious gut condition. In October,

Reckitt said on Friday a U.S. circuit court has ruled that a new trial could be sought by plaintiffs in a case that had accused the London-listed firm and Abbott of failing to warn of the risks of premature baby formulas.

Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael Noble granted the plaintiff's motion for a new trial on Thursday, citing the “widespread misconduct” of defendants Abbott Laboratories Inc. and Mead Johnson.

CEO Kris Licht said last week that Reckitt has received “interest” from prospective buyers for its nutrition unit housing Mead Johnson.

Reckitt said on Friday a circuit court in the United States had ruled that a new trial could be sought by plaintiffs in a case that accused the London-listed firm and Abbott of failing to warn of the risks of premature-infant formulas.

Infant formula makers Abbott and Reckitt saw their stocks decline Friday after a judge ruled plaintiffs could pursue a new trial against the companies.

Back in October, a jury found North Chicago-based Abbott and Reckitt’s formula subsidiary Mead Johnson not responsible for a baby developing necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, from their cow-milk-based formulas. NEC is a serious, and sometimes deadly, gastrointestinal disease that primarily afflicts premature infants.

Abbott Laboratories and Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc shares fell as a judge ordered a new trial after rejecting a verdict that had cleared the companies of liability over claims they hid potential risks of their premature-infant formulas.