Three baby formulas recalled by Abbott Nutrition amid warnings from FDA

Abbott Nutrition on Thursday announced a recall of three of its infant formulas after four babies who consumed the company’s products were reported to have been hospitalized for bacterial infections.

The recall is for specific lots of the company’s Similac, Alimentum and EleCare formulas that were produced by its Sturgis, Mich., facility, USA Today reported.

This comes as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers in a release on Thursday not to use certain powdered infant formula products produced at the facility.

The agency said it was investigating complaints that the four infants in three states who were said to have consumed powdered infant formula produced at the facility were reported to have Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections.

“All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case,” the FDA wrote in the release.

The FDA also said it had initiated an onsite inspection at the facility. 

“As this is a product used as the sole source of nutrition for many of our nation’s newborns and infants, the FDA is deeply concerned about these reports of bacterial infections,” FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said in a statement. 

“We want to reassure the public that we’re working diligently with our partners to investigate complaints related to these products, which we recognize include infant formula produced at this facility, while we work to resolve this safety concern as quickly as possible,” Yiannas continued. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local partners are also contributing to the investigation, according to the FDA.

In a statement to USA Today, Abbott Nutrition apologized for the inconvenience of the recall to consumers. 

“We deeply regret the concern and inconvenience this situation will cause parents, caregivers and health care professionals,” Abbott Nutrition Executive Vice President Joe Manning said, the outlet reported.