(29). Republicans are questioning why the FDA isnt held accountable for the shortage and the possible lapses that led to the deaths of the two babies linked to the Abbott products. hide caption. To find out if the product you have is included in this recall, click on the button below to check your lot number. (45), According to the White House fact sheet, some unscrupulous retailers or individuals used the formula shortage to hoard products from legitimate suppliers. Surprisingly, however, the FDA didnt issue a safety notice nor did they stop Abbott from producing formulas until the issues have been resolved. Tests of retained product samples from the recalled Similac PM 60/40 lot were negative for Cronobacter. (55), Batch no. Retail companies like Walmart have already put a cap on how many you can buy per transaction. Oz./59 mL Bottles of Ready-to-Feed Liquid Products; Recall Is Not Expected to Impact U.S. A review of the firms internal records also indicate environmental contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii and the firms destruction of product due to the presence of Cronobacter. Similac and other formulas will be next in line once production starts. (37). This recall does not include any other liquid or powder formula brands or other nutrition products produced in our Columbus facility or elsewhere within our global nutrition manufacturing network. Abbott added another Similac PM 60/40 to this recall list on February 28 for the same reason. Similac 360 Total Care * Infant Formula is made with an exclusive blend of 5 HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those in breast milk. "We take our responsibility to deliver high-quality products very seriously," said Joe Manning, executive vice president, nutritional products, Abbott. Some areas of the Abbott plant were flooded and will require re-sanitization before the plant can reopen once again. After President Joe Biden announced Operation Fly Formula, several shipments have arrived from across the world to help the US solve the formula shortage. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. (47), House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro announced that her office received alarming documents from a whistleblower who used to work at the Abbott facility that produced the recalled Similac formulas in February. (36), Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik accused Bidens failed leadership, saying that its responsible for Americas baby formula crisis. (32), The products originated from Zurich, Switzerland, and were trucked to Germany. (39). (37). (40), They relied on the amino acids (building blocks of proteins) from EleCare for nourishment because these dont have to be digested. Some of these facility improvements include the following: (44), US President Joe Biden met with infant formula manufacturers and retailers, including Reckitt, Gerber, Walmart, and Target, to discuss strategies to get more formula quickly yet safely onto store shelves to solve the ongoing shortage. The FDA is advising consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas. However, issuing the voluntary recall was the right thing to do because they didnt want to risk the childrens lives and health. (34), They have also increased production and worked round the clock to help meet the demand. (32). If you have questions, please contact Abbott's Consumer Relations hotlines below in the country where you received product: More Recalls, Market Password reset email has been sent. Abbott Recalls Ready-to-Feed Liquid Products, 39480N200; 420395E00 (also distributed in Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao, Barbados, St Thomas, St Croix, and Haiti), 40561N200 (also sold in Puerto Rico, Curacao, Jamaica, Bermuda, and Trinidad & Tobago), 40749N200 sold in the Dominican Republic, 39398N200 (bottle lot number only) sold in Canada, Similac Recall February 2022 (Second Recall), This recall was done after the death of another infant who tested positive for. Still, the experience pushed economists to call for bans on buybacks, stricter antitrust enforcement, and limits on shareholder dividends. Their first shipment will be Aptamil First Infant Milk Stage 1 (formula for healthy babies). (46), President Biden asked the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to investigate and monitor the perpetrators of this illegal and predatory conduct. (30), She further explained that its important to solve the problem as soon as possible. This is subject to the FDAs approval. Abbott clarifies that no distributed product (Similac PM 60/40 or the previously recalled Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas) tested positive for the presence of Cronobacter sakazakii. First European Shipment Arrives In The US, House Passes $28 Million Emergency Spending & WIC Flexibility Bills. RECALL NOTICE: OUTSIDE US October 2022 Abbott is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall of certain lots of 2 fl oz/59 ml bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid products, including the brands Similac Pro-Total Comfort , Similac 360 Total Care , Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive, Similac Special Care 24, Similac Stage 1, Similac Water (Sterilized), Similac Neosure and . (26), Abbotts head detailed the serious steps the company is taking to address the baby formula shortage: (26), Once the production resumes at Sturgis, Michigan, Ford detailed that they will do the following: (26), While Abbott maintains that the strains from the FDAs investigations dont match those taken from their facility, FDA officials recently refuted this claim. Click on the "Learn More" button to see lot numbers included in the recall or scroll down to Check Lot Number. These specialty formulas were prioritized because theyre in short supply in the US and serve a critical medical purpose for children with cows milk protein allergies. (28), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there might be a need for indictment after the nationwide baby formula shortage is resolved. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Abbott is voluntarily recalling these products after four consumer complaints related toCronobacter sakazakiiorSalmonellaNewport in infants who had consumed powder infant formula manufactured in this facility. as the best organic options for their babies: Is There A Recall On Similac Formula (2022)? Thankfully, the children have all been discharged. Abbott Nutrition is recalling certain lots of ready-to-feed liquid baby products, including several under its Similac brand, for potential spoilage, the company said Friday. (62), Lot codes 40177RH and 40172RH, with a use by date of Nov. 1, 2007, The bottles lack a special layer that keeps air out. (16), 44,000 pounds (equivalent to approximately 548,000 eight-ounce bottles) of specialty infant formulas Nestl Health Science Alfamino and Alfamino Junior arrived at the Louisville International Airport from Switzerland. . This recall does not include any other liquid or powder formula brands or other nutrition products produced in our Columbus facility or elsewhere within our global nutrition manufacturing network. Aside from checking the nutritional values and ingredients, its also a good idea to monitor for infant formula product recalls. (21), The first two Defense Production Act authorizations are priority orders for Reckitt Benckiser (Mead-Johnsons Enfamil) and Abbott Nutrition: (31), Once the Abbott plant resumes operations, these priority shipments are expected to help increase their production by one-third. (46), Retailers like Target, CVS, and Walmart have since put a cap on the number of formula packs that consumers can buy online and from their stores. Abbott Nutrition said it is cooperating with the FDA investigation into the three Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one salmonella infection, all of which required hospitalization. A review of Abbott's records show that the company has destroyed products in the past due to the presence of Cronobacter. (53), Formulas that dont meet this requirement need a label indicating that additional iron might be necessary, but the company failed to comply. (32), Importing formulas is one of the Biden administrations measures to help ease the ongoing shortage in the US. The recall includes these 2 fl. So, major disruptions of these companies supplies, such as a massive recall like the February 2022 Similac recall, can greatly affect the formula supply in the market. Still, parents are also having trouble finding these products for their babies. (50). Many formulas from name brands like Similac are designed to closely resemble breast milk. All finished products are tested for Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella Newport and other pathogens and they must test negative before any product is released. Abbott Nutrition is recalling certain lots of ready-to-feed liquid baby products, including several under its Similac brand, for potential spoilage, the company said Friday. (61), The contamination was attributed to a manufacturing problem, but no serious health problems were reported concerning this recall. It isnt ideal for premature infants or those with digestive and metabolic issues. How many infants were fed contaminated formula during this time? (44), According to Abbott Nutrition, theyll prioritize producing Alimentum, EleCare, and metabolic formulas. This voluntary recall only affected products sold in the Philippines. (56), The Similac recall involved dozens of different lots and products. According to DeLauro, the whistleblower (name withheld for security reasons) wrote a 34-page report with a long list of allegations about security lapses and unsafe practices at the plant. He admitted to reading the complaint but didnt specify when or what steps he took to immediately address the issue. The first recall (Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas) was issued on February 17 due to possible contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which caused serious infections. For many of these kids, finding the right formula can be a long, complicated process to make sure that it can meet their nutritional needs while also ensuring it wont trigger a potentially dangerous reaction, including dehydration or diarrhea. One grants the secretary of the Department of Agriculture the permanent flexibility to issue waivers in the event of supply disruption. Abbott is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall of certain lots of 2 fluid ounce/59 milliliter bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid products for infants and children, including the brands Similac Pro-Total Comfort TM, Similac 360 Total Care , Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive, Similac Special Care 24, Similac Stage 1, Similac NeoSure , But they had to be hospitalized so they could be fed. (47). (28), American Economic Liberties Project senior fellow Moe Tkacik accused companies like Abbott of using their products as a personal ATM. 02.17.2022 -Abbott initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentumand EleCare,manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan, one of the companys manufacturing facilities. (56), The recall was based on an internal quality review. Update password per the new system standards (8 Characters). (14)(15), 200,000 8-ounce bottles of Kendamil formulas arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia from the United Kingdom. (31), Aside from ramping up productions, Biden also launched Operation Fly Formula. He directed various government agencies to use the Department of Defense planes to pick up formulas that meet U.S. standards overseas and fly these to the U.S. to help restock shelves. If you still wish to opt-out, please click the button below to confirm. (8), Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Enfamil and now the US largest formula supplier, operates its formula factories 24/7 but believes that the crisis will persist until spring. So, Abbott includes this specialty product in the items being released along with these metabolic products: (47), Abbott assures consumers that these products have been tested, werent included in the recall, and comply with all the product release requirements before distribution. (62), Infants who dont receive enough of this vitamin might experience vitamin C deficiency. Some brands have very similar packaging for different types of formula. Any changes to their formula need to be carefully monitored to make sure they could be well tolerated. Importantly, no distributed product has tested positive for the presence of either of these bacteria, and we continue to test. powder . Why did the FDA not spring into action? . If a product is included in the recall, do not use the product. The case remains under investigation, with authorities still trying to determine the cause of the infants, Abbott clarifies that no distributed product (Similac PM 60/40 or the previously recalled Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas) tested positive for the presence of, Tests of retained product samples from the recalled Similac PM 60/40 lot were negative for, Similac Recall February 2022 (First Recall), Similac recalls several powdered formulas for possible contamination that can cause, infection. (37). (9), The FDA plans on allowing the import of overseas formulas from temporary importers to go beyond the shortage in a bid to prevent it from happening again. According to the recall advisory, products from Abbott Nutritions Sturgis, Michigan facility have been distributed across the US and likely to have been exported to other countries. (47), Whistleblower Reportedly Notified The FDA About Security Lapses Months Before Recall, Hid information during a 2019 audit by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Contains no artificial growth hormones and is non-GMO. Affected customers were advised to search for the lot number of their item at similac.com/recall. Directions apply to Chrome onAndroid devices. A thorough review of all available data indicates that the infant formula produced at our Sturgis facility is not likely the source of infection in the reported cases and that there was not an outbreak caused by products from the facility. (43). (61). One grants the secretary of the Department of Agriculture the permanent flexibility to issue waivers in the event of supply disruption. But there were no serious medical complaints reported concerning this Similac recall. However, she warned that formula dilution can lead to organ failure or brain swelling. (26), He explained that none of the data matched between the specimen from the four complaints and of the retained product samples. The products included in the recall were distributed primarily to hospitals and to some doctors offices, distributors and retailers in the U.S., including Puerto Rico; one lot of products was sent to Barbados, Bermuda, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Croix and St. Thomas; and two lots were sent to Canada, Curacao, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. Why did it take four months to pull this formula off store shelves? The FDA said environmental samples from the facility have yielded positive results for the Cronobacter bacteria, but there have been no reports of salmonella so far. It was especially more difficult for children who need specialty formulas that were only manufactured by Abbott. . It may control as much as 40% of the market. Some of the hospitalized kids suffered malnutrition after taking homemade formula or other inappropriate substitutions. Some might feel more secure choosing a well-known brand name. (2)(3). During testing in our Sturgis, Michigan, facility, we found evidence ofCronobacter sakazakiiin the plant in non-product contact areas. One of the cases was fatal. (38), During the hearing before the House subcommittee, Califf asked lawmakers to increase the agencys budget from last years $2.1 billion to $8.4 billion for food safety and nutrition. Products are tested for Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella Newport and other formulas will be in... 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