Powder formulas recalled
Abbott is voluntarily recalling powder infant formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare manufactured in its Sturgis, Michigan, facility due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Feb. 17.
The recall was initiated after receiving four consumer complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport in infants who had consumed powder infant formula manufactured in this facility. Routine testing revealed evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii in non-product contact areas in the Sturgis facility but found no evidence of Salmonella Newport; however, the investigation is ongoing. No distributed products to date have tested positive for either of these bacteria. Before powder formula products are released, they are tested for these and other pathogens and must test negative.
Cronobacter sakazakii is commonly found in the environment and a variety of areas in the home. In infants it can cause fever, poor feeding, excessive crying or low energy as well as other serious symptoms. It's important to follow the instructions for proper preparation, handling and storage of powder formulas.
Salmonella can be potentially life-threatening, especially to infants, older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. It can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella’s most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Salmonella’s symptoms usually develop between eight to 72 hours after consumption of the contaminated food and last about four to seven days.
The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, chief, public health division, DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.
All powder formula manufactured in the Sturgis facility with an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later is being recalled. Some product was distributed to countries outside the U.S. The investigation is ongoing so a complete list of affected lot numbers has not been published; however, the products affected have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, containing K8, SH, or Z2 within the lot number, and has an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after. To identify whether your product is included in this recall, visit similacrecall.com and type in the code on the bottom of the package, or call 1-800-986-8540 and follow the instructions.
No other Abbott liquid formulas, powder formulas or nutrition products from other facilities or any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas are affected by this recall.
Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions should visit similacrecall.com or call (800) 986-8540.