Similac Recall 2010: How to Keep Your Kids Safe (Lot Numbers)

Similac recalled baby formula. (FDA/Abbott)

(CBS) In the wake of the recall of certain Similac-brand baby formulas, parents are frantically searching for details and specific lot numbers to make sure their kids are safe.

Abbott, the manufacturer, said they feared the "remote possibility" that some product may have beetles or their larvae.

"While the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract," the company said in a press release. "If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted."

As of Thursday morning, Abbott's recall website was unresponsive, making it difficult for parents to figure out if they purchased recalled formula. Abbott public relations rep Melissa Brotz told CBS News that the company had expanded phone lines at their hotline to help.

Parents can call [phone] for information.

UPDATE Sept 23, 2010 5:07 P.M:

Abbott has now provided CBS News with a complete and final list of recalled products.

You can read the PDF here.

The lot number should be located on the bottom of your product. Click here for a bigger picture.

What's Not Recalled

• Similac powder formula in cans with the following letter and/or number combination in the middle of the lot number - T3 or RE or 9V or NT - are NOT being recalled.
• All Similac liquid formulas are NOT part of the recall.
• Powder and liquid specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert CareTM Alimentum??????, Elecare??????, Similac Expert CareTM Neosure??????, Similac?????? Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas (for inherited disorders) are NOT part of the recall.

What to Do

Abbott urges parents to send recalled products back to them at no cost. You need to call the hotline at [phone] (24/7) or try the website at www.similac.com/recall to complete the process. Here's the full press release from the FDA's website.

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[SHartkorn]

My question is, what about the babies who drink the formula that's supposed to be the same thing, but is store brand? My little girl drinks the Target formula that matches with Similac Advance.... When we switched to it we found it to be exactly like the name brand, we've never had a problem with bowel movements, it's great!... I'm reading this article and just not sure of what to do! The kind we buy isn't available online, so I'm going to assume that it was pulled as well... But it's not even mentioned in the article... just similac is.

[skryber]

Can I send back open containers?

[Jb20921]

P.S.
I am a Pediatric Doctor so please do not send me garbage about how your child could not have a bowel movement because of miniscule insect parts. You let your kids crawl on the floor. If you did not know, it is not uncommon for an infant to wait 5-7 days for a bowel movement. (although for adults it is different) Some children have to be "taught" the feeling of pooping. Talk to a Dr., not a lawyer!

[Jb20921]

Dear All Crazies,
You can send all the recalled product to me. Protein is protein. Your get rich quick schemes of sueing a company should be directed to a chocolate company. There are more bug parts in chocolate than in your babies formula. You have weak kids because you are crazy. Email me for my address. Thanks. [e-mail] please mark it as "free formula"

[Niftythriftysavings]

Nifty Thrifty Savings -- Google it for free baby stuff, money saving tips and coupons. Great Site and very helpful in todays economy

[PR_in_Alabama]

Well!! Bettles & Larve, it is discusting, However, this insects are high in Protein, I doubt they be long term effects from consuming a small amount of this insects. SO LADY'S CALM DOWN!!!

[1twins]

hello everyone,i went to walmart stores and bout three cans of go grow similac advance and two cans of go grow soy similac. my twin boys started to have diarrhea soon after we started taking them but i did not think it was the milk and the stools were initially loose to about 2 bowel motions a day instead of 1 as i thought it would improve ,i did not take them to hospital after about 1 week and a half the bowel motions incresed to 3 times a day and i noticed the stools were very well mucoid but not foul smelling i took them to a NEAR BY CLINIC WERE ANILIA WAS PRESCRIBED ,i also in the mean time changed to isomil df during this time the diarrhea subided and i started the similac again only to discover the loose motion returned ,so out of being cautios i stooped the milk entirely and then went to store for another ,so their motions is still loose but they felll better regardingtummy upset and feed refusals ,so i was not really amazed when the recalls were made i had always thought the milk was at fault cos i try to be super hygeinic with preparing their formular and cereal.but when i checked the lot numbers of the cans they were all part of the recall and we had drank almost all the five !!!!!!!!!!!. GOD have mercy.

[erbutera]

My daughter has reflux and she was doing better and when we just open this particular can she started spitting like crazy, I call the lab to ask about the formula because obviously they were reducing some cost by changing the can from 12.9 oz to 12.3 oz and using a thinner lamination seal, they told me that formula was the same. That was last week and yesterday when I saw the news I called again and gave the can's lot number they told me it was not a recall one, BUT all news says that lots containing "RB" could be tainted, and all Sensitive spit formula has the "RB", so I don't understand how this guy told me that my can is save when it is making my baby sick. What am I going to feed her? She doesn't like Enfamil :(

[peque84]

IT IS BETTER TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE ABBOTT WEBSITE THERE IS A PDF DOCUMENT WITH ALL OF THE LOT NUMBERS... JUST TYPE IN YOURS IN THE FIND BOX AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE RECALL NUMBER IF IT IS FOUND STOP USING AND SEND THE FORM SO YOU CAN BE REIMBURSED.

I DON'T THINK IT IS ONLY THE BLUE CONTAINERS IS ALL OF THE POWDER SIMILAC PRODUCTS... THE LIQUID PRODUCTS ARE OK TO USE... THE WEBSITE HAS ANOTHER DOCUMENT WITH VISUALS OF WHAT WAS RECALLED AND WITH WHAT PRODUCTS WE CAN SUBSTITUTE THE RECALLED ONE... BE INFORM IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN GUESSING... SEE YOU!.

[sexy20momma]

i have similac soy is that one of the formulas that got recalled. I would like to know because i am a worried parent.