Abbott is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall
of certain Similac-brand, powder infant formulas in the U.S., Puerto
Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean.

Abbott is recalling these products
following an internal quality review, which detected the remote
possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the
product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing
facility. The United States Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA)
has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses
no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that
infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae,
could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and
refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI
tract. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a
physician should be consulted.
The recall of these powder infant formulas includes:
- Certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic
containers.
- Certain Similac powder product lines offered in 8-ounce,
12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans.
To immediately find out if the product in your possession is
included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup,
and type in their lot number to determine if their product is
affected, or call (800) 986-8850.
No Abbott liquid infant formulas are impacted. Products not
involved in the recall include all Abbott Nutrition liquid
ready-to-feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid
specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert Care™
Alimentum®, Elecare ®, Similac Expert Care™ Neosure ®,
Similac® Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas for
inherited disorders.
About the Recall
- The company is implementing a plan to address this matter in the
affected manufacturing facility, which is expected to be completed
shortly. No other facilities or products are involved in this recall.
- Abbott has consulted with the U.S. FDA regarding this recall.
Information for Parents and Caregivers
- Products with affected lot numbers should be returned to Abbott at
no cost to the consumer.
- Parents and caregivers can go to www.similac.com/recall/lookup
or call Abbott's consumer hotline, (800) 986-8850, 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
- Both the website and the consumer hotline have specific details on
how to complete the return process.
Holger Liepmann, executive vice president, Abbott Nutrition said:
"Abbott understands that parents expect to feed their children
only the highest quality product. We are taking this action so that
parents know that the infant formula products they provide
unquestionably meet the highest quality standards for which they are
known. We regret any inconvenience this situation poses to parents and
consumers."