Infant Formula Recall 2010: Similac Recall From Abbott Labs

by Amy Judd | September 22, 2010 at 11:54 am

100405 views | 5 Recommendations | 274 comments

Infant Formula Similac Powder Has Been Recalled By Abbott Laboratories

Abbott has issued a voluntary recall of about five million Similac-brand powder infant formulas that were sold in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and some Caribbean countries.

The recall is being issued due to the fact that they may contain the presence of a 'small common beetle' and while the Food and Drug Administration has determined that the formula poses no immediate health threat, infants could experience some gastrointestinal discomfort and could lower their appetite due to this stomach pain.

To determine if you have a Similac product that could be affected by this recall, go to this Similac site and type in your Lot number. Affected products include those in plastic containers and those in sizes of 8-ounces, 12.4 ounces and 12.9 ounces.

(Similac has now posted all the lot numbers online.)

Customers can also call (800) 986-8850. (1-800-986-8850)

Products not involved include all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready-to-feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid specialty formulas, including Similac Expert Care, Alimentum, Elecare, Similac Expert Care Neosure, Similac Human Milk Fortifier and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders.

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.

If you have an affected product then you can call Abbott and return the product to them directly, not to the store where you purchased the product, at no cost to you.

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nicoleb (not verified)

at 21:16 on September 22nd, 2010

you need to be more sensitive....some of us don't make breastmilk that our babies can eat. after struggling trying for a month with a screaming, starving baby, a lactation consultant helped me to find out that my milk was causing problems in my babies tummy. I produced too much lipase which made my milk rancid....stop being judgmental, we all do the best we can.

IceV2010 (not verified)

at 18:03 on September 22nd, 2010

Exactly, I had my baby 2 mths early and was filled with meds due to all types of issues and couldnt even pump and dump. I was knocked out for almost a wk due to meds so NO everyone cant breastfeed. I get tired of seeing this crap as if we should feel bad. We all dont have a choice. Yes I was able to Bfeed my son who was my 2nd child, but my 1st and 3rd were both early and with me sick it wasnt an option. Thanks for saying sthing.

Hayley's dad (not verified)

at 17:06 on September 22nd, 2010

Good for you go feed your baby... no need to post on here if your not a WORRIED parent. thanks!

Hayley's dad (not verified)

at 17:10 on September 22nd, 2010

Good for you go feed your baby... no need to post on here if your not a WORRIED parent. thanks!

dani nacolette (not verified)

at 17:19 on September 22nd, 2010

Thanx Jessica88, I can sleep so much better knowing that you are a breastfeeder. 88% of us are not!!!!!!!!!!

BrieBrie (not verified)

at 17:23 on September 22nd, 2010

Seriously...saying anything about Breast Feeding on this site is just uncalled for. There are many women who can't breast feed. Even if they can, it's their choice to formula feed their child. Nobody should be made to feel bad about this.

Dani's Worried Father (not verified)

at 17:27 on September 22nd, 2010

Really though Jess88, u are very inconsiderate towards the rest of us. We dont care about your breastfeeding. We care about our children who drink similac, and I care about the possibility of you have severe nipple irritation in the morning!! (that would be great!)

Kati101 (not verified)

at 17:32 on September 22nd, 2010

Thats really rude of you. Do you think that you are better than the rest of us because you didn't have any life threatening emergencies, like HELLP syndrom (look it up, I doubt you know what it is) and can not breast feed because of complications. Why are you even writting on here. You are just making worried and frustrated parents more upset. You shouldn't even have a kid with an attitude like that. God help your child from becoming like it's parent.

RNmomof4 (not verified)

at 18:11 on September 22nd, 2010

WOW!! Such misdirected anger at a mom who just stated a simple fact! Direct your anger where it belongs at the formula company and poor manufacturing/quality control practices that allowed this disgusting contamination to occur. Better yet, do some research on the well documented adverse affects of formula on our children's long term health in this country! Understandedly some people cannot breastfeed or some babies cannot have their mothers milk due to metabolic disorders etc...but there is such a thing as pasteurized donor milk...do your research people! Stop putting your faith in formula companies who put on a great song and dance marketing for a terrible product that has no documented studies to prove formula and its recipe of additives is beneficial or even safe for that matter! And I for one do know what HELLP syndrome is and I am sorry this had such a negative effect on your feeding experience but it doesn't always for every mom. Everyone has their own lives to live...just know that you are doing the best for your child with what you are given and I pray that no serious injuries occur to any of these children...

RT (not verified)

at 17:40 on September 22nd, 2010

yea you're useless to this conversation - see your way out. Be a little more considerate - breast feed or not these are babies in trouble.

RNmomto4 (not verified)

at 18:28 on September 22nd, 2010

Hmmm I guess you find it useless because I give an educated response. I have the consideration to tell the truth that obviously you cannot handle. Breastfeed or not, YES these babies could be in trouble. I am a nurse and see this everyday, formula/medications whatever it is there is a risk involved. YOU are useless if you don't educate yourself! Please do us all a favor and do not procreate...

ash524 (not verified)

at 20:02 on September 22nd, 2010

Im a nurse as well so dont flatter yourself sweetheart. Your comments are just as ignorant as the first bitch. This is not the time or place for you to preach about breastfeeding, or to say how dangerous similac can be in the long run. Why dont you go back to your 4 kids and preach to them about teen pregnancies. Thanks and have a good day.

Becky of MN (not verified)

at 21:01 on September 22nd, 2010

Do us all a favor and research business etiquette. I pray to Jesus that I never have you as a nurse and feel sorry for those that do as well as your children.

katie simon (not verified)

at 18:58 on September 22nd, 2010

I breastfeed as well but knowing all too well that things happen ,as they did with my first child you cannot always breastfeed. So I have formula here and so does my mother in law just in case. Your comment is offensive and rude some people arent as lucky to have breastfeeding work for them for some reason or another. You should be ashamed of yourself. How would you feel if it was your child? You should be less ignorant and more respectful.

pissedoffmom (not verified)

at 19:54 on September 22nd, 2010

oh im sure u are..however now is not the time to "brag" your saggy boobs off momma...not everyone can. get over yourself

renelle (not verified)

at 16:48 on September 22nd, 2010

is advanced one of the ones with the bettle?

Agnes C (not verified)

at 17:09 on September 22nd, 2010

I just got thru on the phone Smilac Advanced number 90404T20 is recalled. I have been feeding my baby this for a month, she is been fussy for a while now, we thought it was teeth!

kemiller (not verified)

at 17:32 on September 22nd, 2010

yes. all advance products in the plastic containers and cans have been recalled according to my Target. Take your formula back to where you bought it, they will give you a refund.

Jennifer Nguyen (not verified)

at 16:52 on September 22nd, 2010

How am I suppose to verify if my daughter's formula is infected or not if the number and website doesn't work. This is a loud of crap and Similac is asking for a BIG LAWSUIT!

jessica109 (not verified)

at 17:37 on September 22nd, 2010

Agree I have Been calling and calling and even tryed there recall lookup page and nothing is working

cassie312 (not verified)

at 16:59 on September 22nd, 2010

of course now the website is down and the phone is busy.

Jalisa Manjarrez (not verified)

at 17:03 on September 22nd, 2010

Just remember that these products are not involved include all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready-to-feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid specialty formulas, including Similac Expert Care, Alimentum, Elecare, Similac Expert Care Neosure, Similac Human Milk Fortifier and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders. Because im a mother of premie baby, and i just got this because I am very relieved!!

Samantha S (not verified)

at 17:04 on September 22nd, 2010

The recall is for all powder Similac formula none of the liquids. with the lot number of the recalled product problem is the website is down because of all the worried parents trying to find out if their child's formula was recalled and their phone lines are all busy. I also cannot find the lot number anywhere else not even on news sites.

melissa sanderson (not verified)

at 17:07 on September 22nd, 2010

Infant has high fever and has had all test but no one can figure out what is wrong could this be related?

Lacey Kercher (not verified)

at 17:15 on September 22nd, 2010

I'm writting on the behalf of my 3mo old daughter . She has been consuming Similac Sensitive Fussiness and Gas since she was two weeks old ,She has consumed atleast 12 containers which is 166 fl oz per container .I can only imagine how much bettle larva she has consumed.. !!!!!! Im EXTREMELY UPSET about this .It explains why her tummy has been hurting so much .Her hours of screaming and discomfort night upon night .And this evening after reading about the recall .I go to Jewel Grocery store to get her started on a different formula because obviously the container she has been eating the lot number was recalled along with the rest .They still have Similac Sensitive on the shelves ,very distubing to see it sitting on the shelf still .

Danielle Ruiz (not verified)

at 17:16 on September 22nd, 2010

All 4 cans of my babies have been recalled this is horrible. Numbers are: 89253t20 89254t20 88138t20

Kari B (not verified)

at 17:28 on September 22nd, 2010

how did u find out which ones have been recalled???

Kari B (not verified)

at 17:23 on September 22nd, 2010

ok this is really ridiculous... how are we supposed to know which cans have been recalled?!?!?! My daughter has been drinking it all day and she has been acting fine but i still would like to know if i have one of the infected cans. also, they say that a beetle infestation isnt a health risk? I think that is BULL! Similac is gonna have a field day with this one huh? I wouldnt be surprised if they have a lawsuit against them for this.

Rude People (not verified)

at 17:28 on September 22nd, 2010

To the people making comments about breast feeding; yes it is a wonderful thing, however, this situation does not pertain to breast feeding. Some people cannot breast feed but may have wanted to so are sensitive (or choose not to & they have that right be respectful of that). If you have nothing to add then don't bother commenting, there are people on here ligitamently concerned for their babies health & some people have down right been through alot. Nobody needs judgement especially at a time like this & until you've walked a mile in somebody elses shoes don't comment. I formula feed, that was not my plans but it was also not my plans to undergo two emergency surgeries when my baby was only 4 months old and be hospitalized for a week- flexability is a must in parenting you my as well learn that now. I pray for all those affected & hope all the babies struck ill by this recovery quickly.

RNmomto4 (not verified)

at 18:50 on September 22nd, 2010

True...true but you must also remember that this is an open forum for comments and once people identify if their formula is recalled and do what they need to do for their child then maybe...just maybe some will think about these comments and realize not all breastfeeding advocates are trying to judge, instill guilt or whatever...we are just trying to educate so maybe more parents DO NOT have to go through this in the future. Formula isn't the devil but it certainly isn't fool proof now is it? I believe education is always something worthwhile to add and comment on so until you have walked a mile in MY shoes...don't tell me not to comment. I was on this site legitimately as well to educate myself on what to tell the parents of my patients tomorrow when they ask about this recall. This is one advocate that understands the need for formula but I do not have to like it! Doesn't it make you angry that this is allowed to happen? Formula companies should be ashamed of themselves.