WASHINGTON – Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday it is recalling millions of containers of its best-selling Similac infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.
The voluntary action affects up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.
The recall does not affect any liquid formulas or other Abbott-brand products.
A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
“We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation,” said Abbott’s Melissa Brotz. “We’re in the process of resolving it now.” Abbott manufactures Similac at several U.S. sites.
Brotz said the company has been consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which determined there was no “immediate health risk” from the contamination.
Consumers can enter the lot number on their containers online to determine if they are subject to the recall. The products should be returned to Abbott for a full refund.
“Delivering anything less than the highest quality infant formula is unacceptable to us,” said Brotz. “We will do whatever is necessary to maintain the trust of parents in the coming weeks.”
The affected products were sold in plastic containers and various can sizes, including 8-ounce (227-gram), 12.4-ounce (352-gram) and 12.9-ounce (366-gram).
Similac is the best-selling infant formula in the U.S. Abbott’s nutritional products — which include adult brands like Ensure — had sales of $5.3 billion last year.
Abbott expects to lose $100 million in connection with the recall. However, the North Chicago, Illinois, company confirmed its third-quarter earnings guidance between $1.03 and $1.05 per share.
Shares of Abbott Laboratories fell 16 cents to $51.99.
___
On the Web: http://www.similac.com/recall
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
I read this last night..and the 2 similac containers I had at home both were recalled...
Infact my daughter was having some right when I read this....:(
I think I will give her Enfamil now....
How were others effected by this recall...??What will you guys do...or give to your children...??
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
Just spoke to our ped, and he said he didn't expect it yo be an issue. We used Similac Advanced with Early shield for immune support. We now have Enfamil Lipil.
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
I spoke with the pediatrician too a while ago....She thinks its not that much of a deal to switch to Enfamil Lipil...
and I had a can of that at home (got some samples from when she was born) so I used it this morning...will get more this evening...
I hope she just stays well with this formula change...I am traveling in less than 2 weeks and I so did not want things to change from a set routine at this time...
This also makes me wonder whether the recent changes in her sleeping and bowel habits were a cause of this contamination or because of the introduction of rice cereal...paranoid mommy....
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
Just spoke to our ped, and he said he didn't expect it yo be an issue. We used Similac Advanced with Early shield for immune support. We now have Enfamil Lipil.
sahar....what did he expect not to be an issue....??..the reason for the recall or switching to another formula...??
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
I don't think switching to another formula should be an issue as long as it is the same type...
like from Similac Advanced to Enfamil Lipil Premium....should be fine.....issues would happen more say you switch from soy to regular or regular formula to some special formula......look at the ingredient list.....
my ped told us, basically the pediatrician will give you the brand he/she endorses....gets free samples from etc....
overall i have heard enfamil is supposed to be better than similac, just a little anyways
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
Darn! Recalls are a huge blow to any pharma company but Abbott is still trustworthy, they’ve been awarded the best employers in Ireland, 5 years in a row. But a loss of a hundred million dollars?!
Well, at least the formula itself is safe and approved by the FDA, its just the batches that were physically (not chemically) contaminated that pose a threat.
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
My SIL jus found out too, she bought few similac's yesterday from babies r us.....
When did this happen?? She gave her daughter too, hope it doesn't harm the baby. My SIL is sooo worried abt it. we have thrown the containers that were at home...
Re: Abbott recalls infant formula on bug contamination
Not sure if I should open another thread but something I learnt today was that there are halal and haram infant formulas too…!!..:eek:
I knew there was a ‘halal’ written on Similac containers but I never thought why it was there.Someone told me today that Enfamil is not halal.
I did some google search and called the Enfamil customer service and the lady read some info to me which said that the regular Enfamil formulas are certified halal but the specialty formulas like Nutramigen and Pregestimil is not..(their official website states the same about these specialty formulas) .
The reason for them not being halal is the use pf pork pancreatic enzymes.
Another reasoning was that the nucleotides added to these formulas are grown on alcohol or something like that hence their halal/haram status..(dont have an official link for this info).
I thought I’ll share this because it was certainly new for me…although I know it isn’t related to the thread…sorry about that…
Insect parts?!?
I didn’t need to use formula with my first-born… ab second kay saath dekhain gai kiya hota hai.
