These are the infant formulas withdrawn for having bacteria

The health of your little ones is the most important thing, so you should know that Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare infant formulas, from the company Abbott Nutrition are being withdrawn from the market because Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria were detected. In Mexico, 16 possibly affected batches were identified.

On February 17, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported investigating four reports of hospitalized children who consumed the formulas above. Unfortunately, one of the little ones passed away.

The FDA advises consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:

• The first two digits of the code are from 22 to 37.
• The code on the container shows a K8, SH, or Z2.
• The expiration date is April 1, 2022, or later.

Given this, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) announced that it had identified 16 possibly affected batches in Mexico, which are being withdrawn from the market.

What is this contamination about?

The FDA detailed that the contaminated products were produced at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan. After analyzing samples of the powdered formula of this brand, the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria was found, which causes diarrhea and urinary infections in people of all ages. Still, in babies, it can be very serious. This bacterium is related to the death of the minor who died, whose case is under investigation.

The results also show the presence of Salmonella, bacteria that cause diarrhea with blood, fever, and stomach cramps.

And in Mexico?

So far, no infection has been detected in our country due to the consumption of the Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare formulas. In addition, the company Abbott Laboratories de México, S.A. of C.V., points out that it found no traces of Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella newport bacteria in the samples it analyzed; Cofepris endorses this.

Although no cases have been found of children who have become ill from consuming these products, Cofepris is withdrawing from the market (department stores, supermarkets, and other businesses) the formulas that make up the 16 batches that may be contaminated.

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How do you know if the formula may be contaminated?

Check the lot number if you purchased Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare products. If in its first digits, it has the numbers from 22 to 37 or contains the codes K8, SH, or Z2, do not consume the formula and report it to Cofepris.

Cofepris detected that the subsequent batches are in circulation in our country and that they may be affected:

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Where can I report?

• If you identify any of the lots mentioned, contact the Abbott Nutrition company at 800-3688-742 or nutricion@abbott.com
• In the event of any symptoms or discomfort in your little one related to the consumption of these infant formulas, give notice on the webpage gob. mx/Cofepris.
• You can also report if you observe that they sell products with the batches possibly affected in any establishment.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here