On February 17, 2022, it was announced that Abbott Nutrition recalled certain powdered infant formula products. Among the impacted brands are Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. These powdered infant formulas could contain Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport.
- Salmonella Newport: A disease called salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Salmonellosis typically causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe salmonella infections may be present with a high fever, headaches, aches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and, in some cases, can prove fatal.
- Cronobacter sakazakii: Bacteria such as Cronobacter sakazakii can cause severe, life-threatening infections, such as sepsis or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spine). Severe sepsis and meningitis can cause problems feeding, irritability, changes in temperature, jaundice (yellow skin and white of the eyes), gagging, and abnormal movements. Infection with Cronobacter may also damage the bowel and spread to other body parts through the blood.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announces an investigation of complaints about the two infections. A powdered infant formula made in the Sturgis, Michigan facility of Abbott Nutrition is responsible for all cases. Several powdered infant formula products made at this facility are identified as being contaminated due to an ongoing investigation, which has been led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local partners. The FDA initiated a voluntary recall of the potentially affected product as part of this investigation. On the other hand, Oakbrook il pediatricians have been notifying parents and patients to stop using these particular brands for the safety of their children. For further information, you may visit www.similacrecall.com. If you do not understand anything about it, you may search for top-rated pediatricians near me and book the earliest appointment for your child’s safety.
Is my formula affected by the recall?
Abbott Nutrition has recalled only powdered formula made at one of their factories. Look at the code/number on the bottom of the Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formula container to see if your formula is impacted or not.
There are instances in which the container should be disposed of if any of the following conditions apply:
- The first two digits of the code range from 22 to 37
- The code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2
- indicating that it expires in APR 2022 or later
Additionally, you can also visit the manufacturer’s website to see pictures of where the code/number is located on these products and type in your lot number to see if the item is included in the recall. Some Oakbrook pediatric patients may have received sample formula packages from the brands mentioned above.
We recommend discarding those packages out of caution even though we do not know if the samples are affected. The Oakbrook pediatrics and the WIC ask that you keep your formula can if it appears in your household, but DO NOT use it. The WIC is figuring out a replacement procedure for the affected formula and will provide more details as soon as possible.
You should contact your child’s pediatrician or reach out at oakbrookpeds.com if you do not have access to an available formula.
What should I use instead of one of these formulas?
If you prefer to use another formula, Pediatrics at Oakbrook clinic suggest the following substitutes:
- If your child used Similac: Use Enfamil instead
- Substitute Alimentum with Nutramigen instead
- Instead of EleCare: Use Neocate.
The following is a list of detailed substitute charts, courtesy of the North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition:
| Elecare infant | Neocate Infant Neocate Syneo (NOT for use in kids with short bowel syndrome) Mead Johnson Puramino DHA & ARA infant Nestle Alfamino infant |
| Elecare Jr (all flavors and unflavored) | Neocate Jr Neocate Splash Cambrooke Equaquare Jr Cambrooke EssentialCare Jr Mead Johnson Puramino Jr Nestle Alfamino Jr |
| Similac Alimentum powder | Similac Alimentum Ready to Feed liquid Mead Johnson Nutramigen Gerber Extensive HA Perrigo/Store Brand Hypoallergenic (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Topco and Amazon) Mead Johnson Pregestimil |
| Similac Sensitive | Similac Sensitive Ready to Feed liquid or concentrate liquid Enfamil Gentlease Gerber Good Start Soothe Earth’s Best Sensitive |
| Similac Pro Advance | Enfamil Newborn, Infant or Reguline Gerber Good Start Gentle Earth’s Best Gentle formula Perrigo/Store Brand (Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, HEB, Topco and Amazon) |
| Similac Spit Up | Similac for Spit Up Ready to Feed liquid Enfamil AR |
| Similac Total Comfort | Similac Total Comfort Ready to Feed liquid Gerber Good Start Gentle |
See your health care provider if you have already given some to your child, and the container meets the recall criteria.
If the infant is experiencing any of the following symptoms within the past few weeks, parents and caregivers should contact their health care provider:
- Having diarrhea
- A change in temperature (fever or relatively low temperature)
- Cramps in the abdominal area
- A rash or discoloration of the skin in the yellow range
- Poor feeding
- Discomfort
- Fatigue
- Bleeding from the urethra or stool
Oakbrook Pediatrics & Adolescent Center
3825 Highland Ave, Tower 1 #2C
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Email:info@oakbrookpediatrics.com
Phone: (630) 971-6511
