WASHINGTON, D.C. — Outbreaks of two bacterial infections have prompted Abbott Nutrition to voluntarily recall three of its powdered infant formulas.
The recall affects specific batches of powdered Similac, EleCare and Alimentum manufactured at the company’s Sturgis, Mich., plant.
The recall was prompted after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began investigating consumer complaints of four Salmonella Newport and Cronobacter sakazakii infections in three states.
Consumers can check to see if they have purchased affected products by examining the codes on the bottom of the package. Formulas are covered by the recall if:
- 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.
Consumers can also check to see if they have purchase affected products by visiting similacrecall.com or calling (800) 986-8540.
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.
