Infant formula advisory and recall issued
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising families to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formulas. The advisory covers some of the Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas. Families are advised to check product codes and not use if it match those in the FDA advisory. The manufacturer, Abbott Nutrition, has issued a voluntary recall of the affected products.
The FDA along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state partners are investigating four consumer complaints of infant illness related to these products that were made at 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.
- To find out if the product you have 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. Abbott Nutrition will provide information on how to replace product that is included in this recall.
Advisory and recall frequently asked questions - MDH (pdf)
For families currently receiving WIC benefits
The Similac brand is one of the infant formulas authorized for purchase through our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program using EBT cards. Families eligible for WIC benefits can call our WIC office at 651-266-1300 for questions about replacing formula that is part of the recall. If you are a WIC benefits-eligible family and don’t have an immediate need to replace formula, please look for additional updates next week.