FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Carolyn Battle or Jean Fulton
(334) 206-5673

The infant formula manufacturer, Abbott, has advised the Alabama Department of Public Health’s WIC Program of a proactive, voluntary recall of certain Similac brand powder infant formulas in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean. 

Dr. Karen Landers, pediatrician with the Alabama Department of Public Health, stated, “The Alabama WIC Program has taken immediate steps to ensure that alternative formula products are being provided to WIC participants on the formulas affected by the recall.”

The local county health department clinics are providing information and guidance to WIC participants on how to obtain the alternative formula products. WIC participants or the general public may call the local county health department or the State WIC Office at 334-206-5673, or toll-free at 1-888-942-4673 for questions regarding the infant formula products being recalled.

According to a news release from Abbott and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Abbott is recalling certain powder infant formula products following an internal quality review, which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility. 

The release further stated that the FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refuse to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the intestinal tract.  If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, consult a physician. Visit the U.S. FDA website http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm226885.htm for further information.

The recall of these powder infant formulas includes:

• Certain Similac powder product lines in plastic containers.
• Certain Similac powder product lines in cans (8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce sizes).

To find out if a certain product is included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall.

No Abbott liquid infant formulas are impacted.

For additional information about the infant formula recall:

• Go to Abbott’s website www.similac.com/recall.
• Call Abbott’s consumer hotline 800-986-8850, 24 hours a day.
• Both the website and the consumer hotline have specific details on the recall and how the general public can return formula.

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9-24-10