2/25/22 Update—Wisconsin DHS Health Alert #40
Formula Recall: Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare
Abbott Formula Recall—Update for Health Care Providers
This message is being sent to local health officers, Tribal health directors, local health department staff, and other partners and providers.
The Wisconsin WIC Program is temporarily allowing substitute formulas due to the recent Similac formula recall which is the Wisconsin WIC contract formula. Those infants currently receiving standard Similac infant formula (Advance, Total Comfort, Sensitive, Spit-Up) will temporarily be allowed to purchase a similar formula from the list provided on the DHS Website. This list is also available in Spanish and will be continuously updated as more brands become allowed.
Infants on specialty formulas such as Similac Alimentum, Elecare Infant or Elecare Jr. were directed to contact their child’s primary provider to discuss switching to an alternative formula before WIC dietitians make that change to their benefits.
The recall does not affect Similac Neosure or Isomil formulas or any Similac ready to feed or liquid concentrate formulas.
You can find information about the formula recall on our DHS Wisconsin WIC homepage.
Please see the DHS website for more information for families and for contact information for if you have any further questions.
Thank you for helping us assure safe and adequate nutrition for our children.
Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH, FAAP
Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Community Health
Bureau of Community Health Promotion
Division of Public Health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin DHS Health Alert #40
Formula Recall: Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare
Dear WIC Partners,
WIC would appreciate your assistance in sharing this important information out widely.
Last evening, Abbott Nutrition announced a voluntary recall of infant powdered formula manufactured at their Sturgis facility in Michigan, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. This recall comes after four consumer complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella. Parents and caregivers of infants who have used these products and have concerns about the health of their child should contact the child’s health care provider.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers to avoid purchasing and using infant powdered formula from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility. The FDA is also investigating these consumer complaints of infections and has initiated an on-site inspection of the facility.
The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or Elecare powdered infant formulas if the following is included in the product’s lot number:
- The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and
- The code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and
- The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
Abbott has also developed a web-based tool to determine if the consumer’s product was included in this recall. Consumers can check their product’s lot number, located at the bottom of their product.
Please note that this is a targeted recall and does not affect all Abbott products.
- The recall does not include liquid formula products or any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas.
- The FDA states that consumers should continue to use all products not covered by the advisory.
- The FDA advises parents and caregivers to never dilute infant formula and to never make or feed homemade infant formula to infants.
Thus far, consumer complaints included four instances of infant illnesses across three states, including Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. In all four cases, infants were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to death in one case. Abbott product manufactured in Michigan was distributed across the country. Cronobacter bacteria can cause life-threatening infections like sepsis or meningitis. Symptoms may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths and abnormal movements. Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Please see the DHS website for more information for families and for contact information for if you have any further questions.
Thank you.
Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH, FAAP
Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Community Health
Bureau of Community Health Promotion
Division of Public Health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
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