ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott has posted online the lot numbers of Similac powder infant formula involved in the broad recall it announced earlier this week, when it reported the possibility that products could contain insects.
The company said Thursday that parents and caregivers can find the list of recalled Similac products at the following sites: Abbott.com, Abbottnutrition.com and Similac.com. Parents also can view and download a list of the affected products.
And to immediately find out if a Similac product in their possession is included in the recall, they can visit www.similac.com/recall and type in the lot number to determine if their product is affected, or call (800) 986-8850.
Abbott noted that the recall — which doesn’t include liquid baby formula — is limited to the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean.
All Similac powder formula in rectangular plastic tubs is being recalled, as are certain Similac powder formula in cans (such as 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce sizes) and other packaging. Products on the recall list include such names as Similac Advance, Go & Grow, Isomil Advance, Isomil, Similac Advance Early Shield, Similac Organic, Similac Sensitive, Go & Grow Early Shield, Similac Sensitive R.S. and Isomil Advance Early Shield.
Not included in in the recall, Abbott said, are Similac liquid infant formula, powder/liquid specialty formulas (such as Similac Expert Care, Alimentum, Elecare, Similac Expert Care Neosure, Similac Human Milk Fortifier), and metabolic formulas (for inherited disorders).
Abbott announced the infant formula recall on Wednesday. The company said it’s voluntarily recalling the products after an internal quality review that detected "the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility."
Abbott reported that the Food and Drug Administration has determined that although the formula containing the beetles poses no immediate health risk, there’s a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refuse to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the gastrointestinal tract.
"Abbott understands that parents expect to feed their children only the highest-quality product," Holger Liepmann, executive vice president of Abbott Nutrition, said in a statement when the recall was announced. "We are taking this action so that parents know that the infant formula products they provide unquestionably meet the highest-quality standards for which they are known. We regret any inconvenience this situation poses to parents and consumers."
