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Infant Formula Recall Information

Abbott press release is here: Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Powder Formulas Manufactured at One Plant

FDA advisory is here: FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022) Do not use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas

On Feb. 17, 2022, Abbott Nutrition initiated a voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. FDA issued an advisory to alert consumers to avoid purchasing or using recalled powdered infant formula produced in the Sturgis, MI facility.

 

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating four consumer complaints of infant illness related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility received from 9/20/2021 to 1/11/2022. All of the cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of Salmonella Newport infection in infants. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case.

Recommendation 

The FDA is advising consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas. Recalled products can be identified by the 7 to 9 digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package (see images below). Products are included in the recall if they have all three items below:

  • the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
  • the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
  • the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Additional recall information is available on the FDA website. Parents and caregivers can also enter their product lot code on the company’s website or call 1-800-986-8540 to check if it is part of the recall.

Sample Product Image from the FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints about Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022)

 

Powdered Infant Formation Container with Product Coding

Additional Information

  • Products made at the Sturgis, Michigan facility can be found across the U.S. and were likely exported to other countries.
  • Products that do not contain the information listed above are not impacted. The FDA advisory does not include liquid formula products or any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas. Consumers should continue to use all products not covered by the advisory. 
  • To date, this investigation has been associated with four illnesses (three for Cronobacter and one for Salmonella) spanning the following states: MN, OH and TX. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case.
  • Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
  • Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases, may become fatal. 
  • Parents and caregivers of infants who have used these products, and are concerned about the health of their child, should contact their child’s health care provider. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should notify your child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for your child immediately.
  • Parents and caregivers should never dilute infant formula and should not make or feed homemade infant formula to infants.  Consumers should also avoid purchasing imported formula through online sales, as it has the potential to be counterfeit.
  • If your regular formula is not available, contact your child’s healthcare provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices. 

Who to Contact

 

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

 

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