Update: Abbott recalls powdered infant formula

The Food and Drug Administration said on Sept 23 on its website that Abbott is recalling powdered infant formulas due to the contamination with a common warehouse beetle (both larvae and adults).

The FDA was notified by Abbott on Sept 20 of the problem. But the agency said these beetles do not pose immediate health risk even though there is a possibility that babies who consume infant formula with the beetles or their larvae could experience gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat.

According to a press release issued on Sept 22 by the company, the recall affects certain Similac powder infant formula lines in plastic containers and certain Similac powder formula lines offered in sizes as 8-oz, 12.4 oz and 12.9 oz.

The whole list of the recalled infant formulas was posted here.

Abbott said  consumers who still keep the recalled infant formula should return the product to Abbott at not cost. If they have any questions, they can call the company at 800 986-8850.

Abbott stressed that the recall does not affect its liquid infant formulas including all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready to feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid specialty formulas.

Holger Liepmann, executive vice president, Abbott Nutrition said "Abbott understands that parents expect to feed their children only the highest quality product. We are taking this action so that parents know that the infant formula products they provide unquestionably meet the highest quality standards for which they are known. We regret any inconvenience this situation poses to parents and consumers."

Infant formulas help some babies.  But the best food for babies are their mothers' breast milk.  Health authorities recommend that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the very first six months. Breastfeeding is known to benefit both the mother and the baby.

Jimmy Downs