Similac Recall Issued After Insects Found in Infant Formula

Contaminated Similac baby formula may cause toxic food poisoning or other health risks for infants

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Possible insect contamination has led to a powdered Similac recall in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and in some countries in the Caribbean. 

The Similac recall was announced on Thursday by FDA and Abbott, the manufacturer, after an internal quality review discovered that the formula could be contaminated by small beetles. Infants who consume beetle-infested Similac could suffer gastrointestinal discomfort from the beetles or their larvae and also may refuse to eat as a result. However, the FDA has determined that the infants would not be in any immediate health risk of food poisoning.

The Similac problems were found in one section of one unnamed manufacturing facility, according to Abbott. The company has announced that it is putting in place a plan to address the beetles problem soon. No other facilities were affected by the recall and there have been no reports of illnesses from infants who consumed Similac affected by the recall.

The recall affects certain Similac brand powder infant formulas in plastic containers and offered in 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans. Abbott has not released a list of the specific brands and lot numbers affected, instead requiring parents to visit the company’s website to type in the lot numbers of their Similac products to see if they are affected by the powdered formula recall.

The company has not said how much Similac is affected by the recall, but told investors that it expects approximately $100 million in sales returns. In addition, it appears likely the company may face toxic baby formula lawsuits by families of babies diagnosed with gastrointestinal injuries.

Consumers who wish to know whether their Similac is affected by the recall should go to the company’s website at www.similac.com/recall where they can input the lot numbers, which are located on the bottom of the plastic tubs or cans. They can also call the company’s 24-hour hotline at 1(800)986-8850.

Tags: Abbott, Food Poisoning, Infant Formula, Similac

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Nearly a decade later, a number of families are now pursuing an Enfamil lawsuit or Similac lawsuit on behalf of premature infants who developed a severe gastrointestinal condition known as necrotizing enterocoloitis (NEC), after being fed the cow’s milk formula in the hospital or NICU.

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Enfamil Similac NEC Lawsuit
Enfamil Similac NEC Lawsuit

BABY FORMULA NEC LAWSUITS

Was your premature child fed Similac or Enfamil?

Premature infants fed Similac or Enfamil cow’s milk formula face an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or wrongful death.

Learn More
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

60 Comments

Jamey
My son cried of a tummy ache 4 times last week, then refused to eat on 2 occasions! This is unlike him, he is above average in size and loves his bottle and food too!! I looked on the bottom the 1.45LB container of milk and guess what yep it was one with bug parts!!! I feel so bad that my baby had to ingest this crap!! As parents we put our trust in these companies to make sure what we are giving our children is healthy, and this happens!! My trust is completely gone!! Their response to a solution was to go buy something else, how can I with this fear inside me? I will never trust Similac again and hoipefully after tomorrow his doctor will give us some insight on what kind of formula to use. My son does not like the liquid, since birth he has refused it and since purchasing after the recall he still refuses it, so tell me ABBOTT what else do you suggest I do?? Thanks for making a product so safe that my son has now ingested insects!!
Rudy
Within the last sixtey to fortyfive days my daughter has been having issues passing her stool as well as tummy aches.
LaTanya
I have been using Similac for years now and I never imagined that a product that was recommended for use by doctors, family and friends would cause me the worry that I am currently experiencing. My 4mth old son has been using some of the affected formula for the past 4 days and has been spitting up and being very cranky for 3 of those days. I first learned of the recall from another new mother via text message on last night (September 22, 2010). In alot of situations, I know that we are all guilty of thinking “Well, that can’t happen to me”. But when I went on to the website and looked up the lot numbers on his containers, I was horrified. My child had injested some of this formula and there was nothing that I could do about it. You are your childs protector and to have anything happen to your child and you have no control of it is a very scary feeling. I sat up all that night with my son in my bed watching him, listening for anything abnormal and afraid that if I did go to sleep something would happen. My children are my everything and without them I am nothing. My son has a doctors appointment in the morning with his regular peditrician so that I can find out what needs to be done and what formula I can change him to. I am too afraid to keep using Similac or any other formulas developed by Abbott. But I do have one main question: Why were the parents who are registered through the WIC programs not notified as soon as they recall hit the news?
Markisha
My son is almost 6 months now, he started drinking similac at birth. He was hospitalized a few weeks after birth due to an unknown illiness. HE EXPERINCED high fevers, vomiting, diareah, yellow eyes, and shivers. He was released from the hosipital a week later, and everyday still has a least three of the same symtoms. Ive taken him to the doctors office several times and still diagnoses unknown. My doctor even signed my a perscription saying that similac advanced was the only milk that was safe for him……what to do now?…
Takechia
Im interested in filing suit against Abbott lab for the recalled similac product which I believe is responsible for illness my daughter has suffered including calls and visits to her primary md as well as the ER. I have the 3 of the cans which were recalled for “beetle and larvae ” infestation , and am reasonably sure that the other 3 cans that were included in the same 6pk case were cotaminated as well.
Sharon
My son became very ill the day before the recall came out he was drinking his similac as usual .Then with the course of the day he had swollen up all around his face he became splotchy so was his body he had thick tears like gel out of his right eye it also became hard for him to open he was sleeping excessively then he was hard to wake not playful not happy at alll i took him to the emergency room that night for them to tell me he had a food allergy to milk they are wrong we havent changed anything in his diet ,his detergents,his bottles or how we wash them nothing is diffrerent he has been drinking similac for 6-8 weeks never had a prob til the 21st of september i was visinting my chiropractor ant the time of this incidence and he witness the whole thing he and his wife were there with me we became scared and thought he had a bug bite.Then boom the next day iwake SIMLAC HAS A RECALL……Talk about upset they poisoned my 5month old and i dont think replacing milk is good enough he is now on enfamil and doing great with the help of benedryl…..Please moms and dad read this …..
Jen
I had my child to the doctor yesterday before I was even aware of the recall. About 3 weeks ago my son began having issues with bowel movements, spitting up, and belly discomfort. They recommended prune juice every other day mixed in his bottle and a switch to organic. Now aware of the recall, it was Sept 4th when I began the new container of Similac, which was exactly 3 weeks ago when he began having the issue.
Bonnie
My son was in Urgent care Sunday, ER Monday and Pediatrics office Tuesday, he had an ongoing fever of 102.5. Very random, wasn’t exactly sure why, he is refusing all of his bottles, literally throws them on the floor and has thrown up his gerber baby food twice. He has been on similac powder since he was three months old and this concerns me tremendously. I am now convinced this was the reasoning behind his sudden illness.
Tiffany
My 3 month daughter has had probelms with similac since birth. I have changed her milk several times from similac sensative to soy and and she is still having issue with your milk. I really hope that your product has not been causing her these probelms.
Christina G
SIMILAC REALL: I have a friend named Angel J. who has for the past 2 weeks been having problems with her infant ‘s eating habits. The baby is having digestion issues and the doctors are currently running tests but are baffled as to what could be causing the infants digestion problems. She is rapidly losing wieght and is on the brink of dehydration. How would she be able to check the lot numbers on empty cans that she has, previous to this notice of a recall, discarded? How are we supposed to account for those cans and the possiblity that her baby has consumed one of the affected cans? I am outraged! My 4 mos. old drinks nothing BUT Similac Advanc Powder formula. How am I supposed to account for those cans that were previously discarded and the possiblity of consumption of an affected can by my infant. What am I supposed to do? WIC provides majority Similac Products. Do I return the cans to WIC?? Wal-Mart? Where is Abbott Headquarters? I need these questions answered!
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