Infant Formula Recall 2010: Similac Recall From Abbott Labs

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

100459 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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C.S. (not verified)

at 18:30 on September 22nd, 2010

Was just able to get on the web site to check my product, 10:28 EST, lot number 88030T20, has been recalled. It's the Similac Organic Infant Formula. Just wanted to let other's out there know in case they are still having issues getting on the web site to check.

melldod (not verified)

at 18:32 on September 22nd, 2010

2#'s that are effected 91486T20 and 88161T202#'s that aren't effected 90769RE6 and 86895RE6 and all liquid are ok thats all I have checked hope it helps.

A little annoyed. (not verified)

at 18:34 on September 22nd, 2010

This situation is so frustrating. I mean, I get it, recalls happen... And I'm grateful that Similac had the decency to recall when they didn't have to... but give us some information, Similac! I can't get onto their website, and their customer service line has been busy for hours. I FINALLY got through and then got disconnected... THREE times! I've been reading these message boards, but everyone seems to have different information. Is it all plastic containers or just certain lot numbers that are being recalled?? Does anyone know which lot numbers? My container is 91488T20. My baby has been fussy for a few days, and refused to eat tonight. Could be a fluke, could be beetles. Yuck.

ferny (not verified)

at 18:35 on September 22nd, 2010

I just contacted my local wal-mart and let them know about the recall, they didn't have a clue but they told me they will refund my money for both cans, at least they will do that for us. im switching milk brand

JRH (not verified)

at 18:35 on September 22nd, 2010

all 6 containers we have are recalled. All 6 have diff. lot #'s, so my guess is if you have powder formula, its RECALLED. Looks like were makeing the switch to enfamil

Amy Clark (not verified)

at 18:45 on September 22nd, 2010

I have tried going to the website to check the lot number MULTIPLE TIMES and have also tried calling the 1-800 number. The web site says this page cannot be displayed and the 1-800 number is busy! How am I supposed to figure this out if I can't get through to anybody! This is just ridiculous! What am I supposed to do!? Stop feeding my son. I don't have a money tree in the back yard to go get something different. Somebody PLEASE HELP!

A little annoyed. (not verified)

at 18:45 on September 22nd, 2010

Just found this website... pediatrics.about.com/b/2010/09/22/similac-recall.htm If you scroll down the comments section, it gives a list of those recalled. Mine (91488T20) was recalled. I guess that explains my daughter's screaming and refusing to eat the other night, and the subsequent ER visit.

RyleighsMom (not verified)

at 18:48 on September 22nd, 2010

I just got off the phone with the similac rep. The information I was given is that anything with the combination RB or TR in the lot number is ON THE RECALL LIST. So according to the information given to me as long as your formula DOES NOT have RB or TR combination in the lot number than it has been tested safe.

pam p (not verified)

at 20:38 on September 22nd, 2010

I was told that anything with RB or T2 was recalled.

katie simon (not verified)

at 18:52 on September 22nd, 2010

I am also unable to get onto the site or have anyone answer. I have 3 cans sitting here. Thankyou to the people posting the lot numbers that have been able to get throught greatly appreciated!

AirmansPrincess (not verified)

at 18:55 on September 22nd, 2010

Ok. Im glad I breast feed. (im not bashing people who formula feed AT ALL) Im just glad I dont have to deal with this mess that should have NEVER happened! Im a breastfeeding mom and Im outraged at this recall! And the fact that the stores and company arent taking firmer steps to fix it and calling it a VOLLENTARY recall

Tamara Gaston (not verified)

at 18:56 on September 22nd, 2010

Lacey, I just did your lot numbers and your formula is being recalled.

mahmieof2 (not verified)

at 19:01 on September 22nd, 2010

#1 reason why Breast is best! Your breast can never be recalled! Don't blame the formula company when you could have been doing what was BEST for your BABY in on your own!

steevie01 (not verified)

at 19:22 on September 22nd, 2010

Hey! There is no call for that. There are many women like myself who aren't able to breast feed. This wasn't a personal chioce to use formula, but I have no alternative and I know many women are heartbroken that they can't breast feed either. You can keep your self-righteous comments to yourself

BFmom sick of rude comments that are not supportive (not verified)

at 19:23 on September 22nd, 2010

Yes we know breast is best...but it is people like you that give others a negative view of breastfeeding promotion with comments like these. You basically said not to blame the formula company but to blame themselves for feeding formula!! I am sure you know that there are situations in which some moms cannot breastfeed and you just laid on the guilt of that even more...Nice support for mothers! I breastfed all four of my kids and know the risks of formula and educate others but would never tell another mother to blame herself over the formula company. Have a little compassion! Shame on you! Parenting is hard enough without us turning on each other...

steevie01 (not verified)

at 19:39 on September 22nd, 2010

There is no call for that comment! There are many women like myself that can't breast feed. It wasn't a personal choice to use formula, but I had no other alternative and you need to keep your self-righteous comments to yourself!!

Angry mom Ashley (not verified)

at 09:35 on September 23rd, 2010

What an insensitive thing to say. why are you even on this site? I wanted to breastfeedmy baby so badly I cried when they told me I couldnt because they had to put me on coumadin to prevent me from getting another lifethreatening blood clot. I still hate the fact that I had no choice in the matter, and obviously it makes me even more upset knowing my daughter has been so upset and had blood in her diapers because of this. Consider yourself lucky you can breastfeed easily with no problems! And lucky too that I dont know who you are! Keep you a@$-holish comments to youself

katie simon (not verified)

at 19:02 on September 22nd, 2010

FInally got through lot numbers 89313t20 and 90373t20 are both recalled. Goodluck everybody.

Danielle Woomer (not verified)

at 19:02 on September 22nd, 2010

the liquid formula hasnt been recalled. try that instead. my daughter is usually fed the powdered formula because it is cheaper in the long run but she takes liquid formula just as well. not saying that all babies do well on liquid, but it's worth a shot if you're worried about switching up their formula. i hope this is helpful to some of you. i know you probably dont trust Abbott right now but the FDA did say that it poses no health risk. if you think your child has been affected you can always call your pediatrician.

Katrena (not verified)

at 19:06 on September 22nd, 2010

I called abbot and they said the lot numbers with RB in the number are recalled The ones with RE are not. Hope this helps the are other lots too but these i know.

new mom (not verified)

at 19:10 on September 22nd, 2010

I was able to get on the site and lot number 91496T20 IS on the recall list!!

HeidiH (not verified)

at 19:13 on September 22nd, 2010

84310T2, 91551T21, 80642T2 are all recalled. This is the Similac Organic powder formula.

Daddy Z (not verified)

at 19:22 on September 22nd, 2010

Just got through with the 3 lots of powdered Similac Advanced we have on hand. The following 3 lots ARE NOT affected by the recall: 86818RE, 85692RE, and 85686RE

steevie (not verified)

at 19:26 on September 22nd, 2010

I just found out that #'s 811639V00 & 870389V00 are NOT on the recall list.

JRod0918 (not verified)

at 19:27 on September 22nd, 2010

similac.com/recall/lookup.aspx go here and type in your lot numbers...my 2 week old has been on similac the whole time i just checked my lot number 88165T20 was recalled...he has been extra gassy and has had quite a bit of spit ups and strains to have a bowel movement and when he does it has been very runny...this makes me nervous that it could lead to something worse...

Earthmamma (not verified)

at 19:31 on September 22nd, 2010

OH MY GOD.... BREASTFEED YOUR KIDS!!!

Baw (not verified)

at 06:40 on September 23rd, 2010

Listen lady....my milk never came in...so IF i could have, I would have breastfed my child! You are probably someone who breastfeds their child until they are five!