Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries food safety inspectors are conducting recall effectiveness checks on Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas manufactured at an Abbott Nutrition facility located in Sturgis, Michigan.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners are investigating four consumer complaints of infant illness related to products received from 9/20/2021 to 1/11/2022. All of the cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula (IF) produced at the Sturgis, Mich. facility. These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of Salmonella Newport infection in infants. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case.

Recalled powdered infant formulas have the potential to be contaminated with Cronobacter, a bacterium that can cause severe foodborne illness primarily in infants. Cronobacter infections are rare but are especially high risk for newborn infants.

FDA has initiated an onsite inspection at the facility. Findings to date include several positive Cronobacter results from environmental samples and adverse inspectional observations by FDA investigators. A review of the firm’s internal records also indicates environmental contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii and the firm’s destruction of product due to the presence of Cronobacter.

On February 17, 2022, Abbott Nutrition initiated a voluntary recall of powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare infant formulas. Products made at the Sturgis facility can be found across the United States and were likely exported to other countries as well. FDA continues to investigate and will update their advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

The products under recall have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, contains K8, SH, or Z2 and with an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.

To find out if the product you have is included in this recall, visit https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html and type in the product lot code on the bottom of the package, or call +1-800-986-8540 (U.S.) and follow the instructions provided. No action is needed for previously consumed product.

If your infant is experiencing symptoms related to Cronobacter or Salmonella infection, such as poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, abnormal movements, lethargy, rash or blood in the urine or stool; contact your health care provider to report their symptoms and seek medical care for your child immediately.