Three popular infant formula brands across the United States are the subject of a voluntary recall after being linked to cases of bacterial infections, which caused four babies to be hospitalized and possibly one death, according to U.S. health officials.
One of the country’s largest infant formula manufacturers, Abbott Nutrition, is voluntarily recalling three different types of infant formula from one of its manufacturing facilities. The recall involves three brand names: (1) Similac; (2) Alimentum; and (3) EleCare formulas that were manufactured at the Abbott facility in Sturgis, Michigan. The recall only affects products with expiration dates of April 1, 2022, or later that were manufactured at this facility.
As a result of the recent hospitalizations, the FDA is investigating complaints of bacterial infections from over three states, including Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. Three of the cases involve Cronobacter bacterial infections and the fourth was a salmonella infection. The FDA has warned consumers not to use or purchase the formulas or certain powdered infant formula produced at the facility, which has tested positive for the Cronobacter strain.
While Coronobacter infections are very rare, they can be deadly for young infants. Cronobacter bacteria has been known to cause severe, life-threatening sepsis infections or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and the spine) while salmonella can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever. Meningitis symptoms could include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths and abnormal movements in infants. Salmonella symptoms could include gastrointestinal changes, fever, lethargy, headaches, rash, and abdominal cramps in infants.
The FDA is deeply concerned about these reports of bacterial infections for infants and is working to resolve this safety concern as quickly as possible. If you or a loved one has been affected by this recall of baby formula from Abbott Nutrition, please contact an attorney at Abraham Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-222-7211 or toll free at 1‑800-870-9584.