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FSA issues advice after Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac infant formula recall
The FSA has issued advice to parents after infant formula producer Abbott took the precautionary step of recalling various batches of Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac powdered formula. This is because of the possible presence of Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii.
Both Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac products are used for special medical purposes to feed babies and are ordinarily used under medical supervision. The company has contacted all stores and pharmacies supplying these products to inform them of the recall.
We will be working with partner agencies to monitor any reports of illnesses.
Our advice to parents
Anyone who has purchased or been prescribed any of the products included in the recall should not feed it to their baby and should return it to the place where they got it from.
Important
Details of the batch and date code can be found on the base of the can.
A full list of batches included in this recall is available on our recall alert.
For any additional questions about how to return the product, please contact Abbott on 01795 580303.
If you have purchased this product but the batch numbers are different from those specified in this recall alert, no action is needed, and you can continue to feed your baby as normal.
The location of batch codes and best-before dates on the base of recalled cans of Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac. This batch 30374Z20, best before December 2022 is included in the recall.
Anyone who has already used some or all of an affected batch should closely watch for any symptoms caused by Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii, which usually include fever, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, irritability and poor feeding.
If your baby has any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor, midwife or pharmacist for advice. If your baby is well and does not show any symptoms, you do not need to do anything or get any treatment.
Parents or guardians who have purchased or been prescribed any of the products included in our recall should talk to their doctor, midwife or pharmacist about alternative product options.
Our advice to distributors
Abbott has contacted all the businesses to which it supplied these products to advise them of the recall, to immediately discontinue use of the product and recommend a suitable, alternative feeding solution for parents.
It is important that all distributors follow our advice not to supply this product to parents. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has helped to share our recall notice with healthcare providers.
Further actions
We have been working with online platforms to remove from sale any products included in the recall. We are aware that a small number of products remain listed for sale and are working to ensure these are taken down.
We will continue to monitor the possible risk posed by the affected products. Any further updates will be posted on this website.