Abbott Nutrition issued a baby formula recall for Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare after four illnesses and one fatality were reported among infants who consumed them. The Cronobacter and Salmonella outbreak includes cases from three states, MN (1), OH (1), TX (2). that were reported between September 6, 2021, and December 18, 2021.
Three of the babies developed Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one of them developed a Salmonella Newport infection. All were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cronobacter illnesses aren’t common but because these infections can cause sepsis and meningitis they can cause serious illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Infants with sepsis or meningitis will develop the following symptoms:
- Pinprick rash
- Blotchy skin
- High fever
- Shivering
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Unusual grunting sounds
- Refusal to eat
- Stiff jerky movements or a very floppy body
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Cold hands and feet
If your infant has these symptoms, seek medical help right away.
How to Identify the Recalled Baby Formula
The recalled baby formula products, all made at Abbott’s facility in Sturgis, MI, can be identified by the number on the bottom of the container. The first two digits of the number will start with the numbers 22 through 37, contain K8, SH, or Z2, and have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.
The recall does not include any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas or any products manufactured at other Abbott facilities.
In its recall announcement, Abbott said that it conducts extensive quality checks on each completed batch of infant formula, that it tests all finished products for Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella Newport and other pathogens, and that all products must test negative before they can are released for distribution. The company acknowledged that while the FDA did Cronobacter sakazakii at Abbott’s Sturgis, MI, facility, the positive tests were swabbed from non-product contact areas.
In its announcement of the outbreak, the FDA said its investigators noted “adverse inspectional observations” and that a review of Abbott’s internal records indicated “environmental contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii and the firm’s destruction of product due to the presence of Cronobacter.”
If your baby developed a Salmonella or Cronobacter infection and you would like a free consultation with an experienced Food Safety lawyer, please contact us. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.