Updated March 11, 2022 A recall for Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare was issued on February 17, 2022, after these powdered instant baby formulas were linked to a fatal Cronobacter and Salmonella outbreak. On February 28, 2022, Abbott Nutrition expanded the recall to include a specialty formula called Similac PM 60/40 with the lot code 27032K800. On March 11, the FDA alerted users of other specialty formulas made by Abbott that these products may be contaminated with Cronobacter but are not included in the recall.
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All of the recalled products were made at Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, MI from November 1, 2020, to February 17, 2022. Products included in the Alimentum, EleCare, Similac recall can be identified by the following information on the bottom of the can:
- The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37
- The code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2,
- The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later
They include:
Similac Products
Abbott Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Advance
Abbott Similac Advance Step-1
Abbott Similac Advance Step-2
Abbott Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Human Milk Fortifier
Abbott Similac Organic
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Toddler Drink
Abbott Similac Organic Toddler with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive
Abbott Similac Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive Lactose Sensitivity
Abbott Similac for Supplementation
Abbott Similac For Spit Up Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Total Comfort
Abbott Similac Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott Similac PM 60/40 – only lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case)
Alimentum Products
Abbott Infant Formula Powder
Abbott Similac Alimentum
Abbott Similac Alimentum Allergies & Colic Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum with 2′-FL HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum Eye Q Plus
Abbott Similac Alimentum HMO
Abbott Alimentum HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum infant formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Alimentum Toddler Drink
EleCare Products
Abbott EleCare
Abbott EleCare Amino Acid-Based Powder Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott EleCare Infant Formula Unflavoured
Abbott EleCare Junior Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Similac Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Unflavored
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Banana
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
EleCare LCP Hypoallergenic
As of February 28, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating the illnesses of five infants who consumed products made at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. The powdered infant formula these infants consumed includes: Similac Sensitive, Similac Pro-total Comfort, Similac Advance, and Similac PM 60/40.
Three of the infants developed Cronobacter sakazakii infections, one of them developed a Salmonella Newport infection. All five infants, who became ill between September 6, 2021, and January 4, 2022, were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to two cases in Ohio, according to the FDA. The illnesses were reported from three states, MN (1), OH (2), TX (2),
On March 10, 2022, the Salmonella Newport illness was removed from the investigation after the CDC announced that there was not enough information available to definitively link it to the recalled infant formula. The Salmonella Newport illness is also not part of another outbreak, the agency stated. However, the CDC said it continues to monitor for Salmonella illnesses linked to infant formula.
On March 11, 2022, the FDA said specialty products made at Abbott’s plant in Sturgis, MI may be contaminated with Cronobacter but are not included in the recall. And that parents should discuss with their babies’ doctors the best option.
The agency said it had “determined that the risk of not having these specialty products available could significantly worsen underlying medical conditions. For many of these patients, the risk of life-threatening adverse events from restricted access to these critically needed products is likely greater than the risk from consuming products that have been produced at the facility.”
Cronobacter is a bacteria that can live on dry foods such as herbal tea, powdered milk and infant formula. Illnesses are rare but can be deadly for newborns because Cronobacter can cause sepsis and meningitis.
In infants, symptoms of sepsis and meningitis include blotchy skin, a pinprick rash, high fever, shivering, fatigue, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, unusual grunting sounds, refusal to eat, stiff jerky movements or a very floppy body, cold hands and feet, irritability, and diarrhea,
If your infant has these symptoms, seek medical help right away.
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UPDATE This post was updated on March 11, 2022, to include a list of recalled products and information about specialty products that may be contaminated with Cronobacter.