Baby Formula Recalled After Sepsis Bacteria Sickened Several Infants

Parents who feed their infants Abbott Nutrition baby formula are now on high alert as several varieties of formulas have been recalled after multiple infants have fallen ill.

The company issued a voluntary recall on select lots of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas manufactured at an Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan. The move comes after four babies developed bacteria infections after consuming the products. Three of the infants contracted Cronobacter Sakazakii, a bacteria that lives in dry food, while one was sickened with Salmonella Newport. Cronobacter can lead to life-threatening sepsis infections or meningitis, while salmonella can cause fever, belly cramps, diarrhea.

Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, said the agency is “deeply concerned” since baby formula is often the “sole source of nutrition” for infants.

During Abbott’s quality processes in their facilities, the company conducts regular testing for Cronobacter Sakazakii and other pathogens. During testing at Sturgis, evidence of Cronobacter was located in non-product contact sites. While no evidence of Salmonella Newport was discovered in the plant, the FDA continues to investigate its origins.

Luckily, it does appear that the recall is isolated to only the plant in Sturgis. Parents can identify if their formula was impacted by reading the label and checking Similacrecall.com.