A Recall of Abbott Baby Formula: After Illness Reports, Including One Death

Abbott has issued a recall for powdered infant formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare manufactured at the Sturgis, MI, site of the company’s manufacturing facilities. A total of four illnesses and one death have been linked with the formula. This recall began because Abbott has received complaints from consumers claiming their infants have been infected with Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport after consuming powder infant formula manufactured in this facility.

The FDA is inspecting the facility onsite. According to FDA investigators, several environmental samples taken by the agency yielded positive results for Cronobacter. Cronobacter sakazakii has been identified in the firm’s internal records and the firm has destroyed products due to its presence, according to the FDA.

Cronobacter sakazakii: A potentially life-threatening infection, such as sepsis or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), is caused by bacteria, such as Cronobacter sakazakii. The symptoms of severe sepsis and meningitis include difficulty feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), and gagging. Cronobacter infections can also damage the bowel and spread to other body parts.
Salmonella Newport: Salmonella bacteria cause salmonellosis, a disease that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms of more severe salmonella infections may consist of a high fever, headaches, aches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine and stool, and, in some cases, death.

A federal, state and local agency team investigates infant illnesses linked to Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI, facility’s infant formula products. There were four infant illnesses reported at the time of the last update. Cronobacter causes three infections, and Salmonella drives one. The death toll is one. The company continues to test, but no product was found to contain either of these bacteria, and the company recalls that no such product is distributed.

According to the FDA, complaints about the two infections are being investigated. All cases are related to a powdered infant formula made in the Sturgis, Michigan facility of Abbott Nutrition. An investigation is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State and local partners have identified several powdered infant formula products made at this facility as contaminated. The FDA voluntarily recalled the possible affected products as part of this investigation. However, Bolingbrook IL Pediatricians warn their patients and parents not to use these specific brands. To learn more, visit www.similacrecall.com. You should search for Bolingbrook Pediatrician Near Me for your child’s safety and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Products That Are Recalled:

On the bottom of the containers, the products have a multidigit number starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, contain K8, SH, or Z2, and are dated April 1, 2022, or later.
Visit similacrecall.com and enter the lot number of the product to find out if it is part of this recall.

These powdered infant formulas can contain Cronobacter, a foodborne illness-causing bacteria that primarily affects infants.

Can I Substitute Another Formula For One Of These?

Pediatrics at Bolingbrook Clinic suggest the following substitutes if you prefer to use another formula:

Please use Enfamil instead of Similac if you used Similac
Nutramigen can be substituted for Alimentum
Neocate is a substitute to EleCare.

Listed below are detailed substitute charts, courtesy of the North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition:

Elecare infant	Neocate Infant Neocate Syneo (NOT for use in kids with short bowel syndrome) Mead Johnson Puramino DHA & ARA infant Nestle Alfamino infant
Elecare Jr (all flavors and unflavored)	Neocate Jr Neocate Splash Cambrooke Equaquare Jr Cambrooke EssentialCare Jr Mead Johnson Puramino Jr Nestle Alfamino Jr
Similac Alimentum powder	Similac Alimentum Ready to Feed liquid Mead Johnson Nutramigen Gerber Extensive HA Perrigo/Store Brand Hypoallergenic (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Topco and Amazon) Mead Johnson Pregestimil
Similac Sensitive	Similac Sensitive Ready to Feed liquid or concentrate liquid Enfamil Gentlease Gerber Good Start Soothe Earth’s Best Sensitive
Similac Pro Advance	Enfamil Newborn, Infant or Reguline Gerber Good Start Gentle Earth’s Best Gentle formula Perrigo/Store Brand (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Topco and Amazon)
Similac Spit Up	Similac for Spit Up Ready to Feed liquid Enfamil AR
Similac Total Comfort	Similac Total Comfort Ready to Feed liquid Gerber Good Start Gentle

See A Health Care Provider If You Notice Any Of The Following Symptoms.

Please contact the Bolingbrook Health Clinic if your infant has consumed the recalled formula. It is known that Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe infections (sepsis) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spine). Possible symptoms include: