FORMULA RECALL ALERT

FORMULA RECALL ALERT

By: Dr. Joseph Mechak and Dr. Alexander Gorab

This morning the FDA announced a recall on several Abbott/Similac products due to potential contamination. The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:

• 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

If you are unsure whether your formula is affected by this recall, please go to the following website to check the lot number: https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html

Several sample products in our office met this description. If you use these products or have received formula samples from the office, please check to see if they meet the above description. Discard the formula if they meet all 3 criteria above. This advisory does not affect liquid (ie. ready-to-feed) formula products.

Importantly, at this time there are only a very small number of children that have fallen ill due to this contamination. If you find that you have been using a recalled product this is no cause for panic. We would recommend the following actions:

• If your child is symptomatic – fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms AND was using the recalled product – contact us to make and appointment or head to the emergency room if you child is seriously ill
• If your child was exposed to the contaminated product but is not symptomatic, discard the formula and continue to monitor for symptoms from home.  If symptoms develop, follow the steps above
• If your child is consuming a Similac product that does not meet all three criteria above, there is not cause for concern at this time and you can continue to use the formula 

Please see the attached FDA announcement for further information and contact the office if you have additional questions.