| Product identification | |
|---|---|
|
Product type |
Infant formula products for special dietary use |
|
Name of product (size) |
Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands of infant formula products for special dietary use (various sizes) |
|
Batch and date marking |
The products under recall have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container:
are affected by this recall. |
|
Package size and description |
The products are sold in various sizes of metal tins with plastic lid or plastic containers. |
|
Distribution |
The products are manufactured in Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan, United States of America. The affected products may have been sold to members of the public in New Zealand via online shopping platforms. The products have not been re-exported. |
|
Notes |
This recall does not affect any other Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands of products or any other products from Abbott Laboratories NZ Ltd or Abbott Nutrition. Only these brands of infant formula products for special dietary use in the powder form are affected by this recall. The liquid form is not affected. EleCare brand products are not available for direct purchase from supermarkets by members of the public in New Zealand and are mainly available via health professionals, including chemists. The batches purchased in New Zealand via these channels are not affected by this recall. Similac and Alimentum brands of products are not sold in New Zealand, however members of the public in New Zealand may have purchased them via online shopping platforms from overseas. |
Consumer advice
Customers are asked to check the batch number and date marking on the bottom of the products, and refer to the recall notice and advisory on the website of U.S. Food & Drug Administration for further information and updates.
Affected products should not be consumed. There have been 4 reports of associated illness in the United States of America and no reports of associated illness in New Zealand. If your infant has consumed any of these products and you have any concerns, contact your health professional.
Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.
Further information
Cronobacter, formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii, is a germ found naturally in the environment. The germ can live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula, powdered milk, herbal teas, and starches. Cronobacter can cause diarrhoea and urinary tract infections in immunocompromised adults.
Cronobacter infections in infants are rare, but can be very serious. Infants 2 months of age and younger, and those born premature are most likely to develop dangerous blood infection (sepsis) or meningitis if they get infected with Cronobacter.
Who to contact
If you have questions, contact Abbott Laboratories NZ Ltd:
- Phone: 0800 73 71 15
- Email: NutritionANZ@abbott.com
- Address: Ground Floor, Building D, 4 Pacific Rise, Mount Wellington, Auckland
