Major New Recall: Similac Powder Infant Formula

Certainly, no food contamination recall is scarier to parents than one involving baby formula.  Thankfully, no illnesses have yet been reported in connection with this Sept. 22 massive Similac recall, and, according to the FDA, the contaminated product poses “no immediate health risk.” Despite these reassurances, the cause of the recall sounds “yucky” enough to make parents with powdered Similac on their shelves rush to find out if what they’ve purchased might be contaminated.

Exactly what is the problem?  Abbott Laboratories says an internal quality review detected “the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility.” The recall goes on to say that an infant who consumed any formula containing beetles or their larvae “could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and a refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract.  If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted.”

The 5 million recalled products have been distributed in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and Guam) and some countries in the Caribbean.

The recall of these powder infant formulas includes the following:

- Certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic containers.

- Certain Similac powder product lines offered in 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans.

To immediately find out if the product(s) in your possession are included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup, and type in the product(s) lot number or call the consumer hotline (800) 986-8850.  The hotline is open 24 hours a day,  every day. (Note: if you keep getting a busy signal, try late at night or early in the morning.)  Both the website and the consumer hotline have specific details on how to complete the return process and obtain a refund.  The FDA has provided a complete list of recalled products, along with a search list that lets you search by product name, package size, and lot number.  To reach these FDA links, click here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/infantformula/index.cfm

Until you know that the Similac you have at home is not part of the recall, don’t use it. 

Source(s):

FDA “Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Cetain Similac Brandd Powder Infant Formulas That Did Not Meet Its Quality Standards”
http://abbott.vo.llnwd.net/o18/similac/recall/default.htm

TPINEWs Dailing Update  “Similac Recall 2010, 5 Million Products Affected”
http://toppayingideas.com/blog/2010/09/22/similac-recall-2010-5-million-products-affected/