Similac Infant Formula Recalled by the Millions
Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday it is recalling millions of containers of its best-selling Similac infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.
The voluntary action affects up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.
The recall does not affect any liquid formulas or other Abbott-brand products.
A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a Michigan manufacturing plant.
"We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation," said Abbott's Melissa Brotz. "We're in the process of resolving it now." Abbott manufactures Similac at several U.S. sites.
Brotz said the company has been consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which determined there was no "immediate health risk" from the contamination.
The company has set up a website and consumer hotline at (800) 986-8850. Consumers can enter the lot number on their containers online to determine if they are subject to the recall. The products should be returned to Abbott for a full refund.
"Delivering anything less than the highest quality infant formula is unacceptable to us," said Brotz. "We will do whatever is necessary to maintain the trust of parents in the coming weeks."
The affected products were sold in plastic containers and various can sizes, including 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce.
Similac is the best-selling infant formula in the U.S. Abbott's nutritional products - which include adult brands like Ensure - had sales of $5.3 billion last year.
Abbott expects to lose $100 million in connection with the recall. However, the North Chicago, Ill., company confirmed its third-quarter earnings guidance between $1.03 and $1.05 per share.
Shares of Abbott Laboratories fell 16 cents to $51.99.
For more information about the recall, click here.
AP The voluntary action affects up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.
The recall does not affect any liquid formulas or other Abbott-brand products.
A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a Michigan manufacturing plant.
"We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation," said Abbott's Melissa Brotz. "We're in the process of resolving it now." Abbott manufactures Similac at several U.S. sites.
Brotz said the company has been consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which determined there was no "immediate health risk" from the contamination.
The company has set up a website and consumer hotline at (800) 986-8850. Consumers can enter the lot number on their containers online to determine if they are subject to the recall. The products should be returned to Abbott for a full refund.
"Delivering anything less than the highest quality infant formula is unacceptable to us," said Brotz. "We will do whatever is necessary to maintain the trust of parents in the coming weeks."
The affected products were sold in plastic containers and various can sizes, including 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce.
Similac is the best-selling infant formula in the U.S. Abbott's nutritional products - which include adult brands like Ensure - had sales of $5.3 billion last year.
Abbott expects to lose $100 million in connection with the recall. However, the North Chicago, Ill., company confirmed its third-quarter earnings guidance between $1.03 and $1.05 per share.
Shares of Abbott Laboratories fell 16 cents to $51.99.
For more information about the recall, click here.
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5 Comments Add a Comment
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- How is it that so many of our products today are contaminated with insects, bugs, bacteria, etc...? What is safe anymore to feed our children, our grandchildren? What is it going to take to get these companies regulated on procesing our foods properly to keep our families HEALTHY? Come on already...COME ON!!!!!!!
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- My 7 month old granddaughter has been on the Similac Advance formula. She has been suffering for 3 weeks with diarrhea and upset stomach. I am a recycler and had six of my empty tubs plus the new one I had just opened. Imagine my surprise that all seven tubs were on the recall! I have switched her to Enfamil and am praying that it will calm her little tummy troubles. It is a shame this was not caught sooner! She eats about a tub every week and a half. Do the math, seven tubs times a week and a half. This has been going on for quite a while! Shame on Abbott!
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- My 7 month old granddaughter has been on the Similac Advance formula. She has been suffering for 3 weeks with diarrhea and upset stomach. I am a recycler and had six of my empty tubs plus the new one I had just opened. Imagine my surprise that all seven tubs were on the recall! I have switched her to Enfamil and am praying that it will calm her little tummy troubles. It is a shame this was not caught sooner! She eats about a tub every week and a half. Do the math, seven tubs times a week and a half. This has been going on for quite a while! Shame on Abbott!
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- As a substitute you can use Good Start gentle easy in the powder formula its better & also WIC approved if one can't afford it.
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- Bug parts in baby formula, eh? Guess I'll have to take those "lumps" in my oatmeal a bit more seriously now...
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