Pasco County, Fla. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release alerting consumers to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products produced in Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan. This is an ongoing investigation, and Abbott has initiated a voluntary recall of the potentially affected product. The FDA’s full press release can be found here.

The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:

• The first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and
• The code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2; and
• The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

If your child is experiencing any Cronobacter infection symptoms or Salmonella symptoms, you should seek medical care for your child immediately.

Alternative Formula Use

Individuals should not use recalled infant formula and contact their health care provider for guidance on alternative infant formula use.

If you are a Florida Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participant, do not use the recalled infant formula and do not discard or throw it out. To contact the Pasco WIC office, please call 1-877-942-2329.

Once the recall was announced, DOH-Pasco WIC’s staff attempted to contact all clients who may have had the affected formula and informed them about the situation along with providing guidance.

WIC Director, Jennifer Parker says “the staff is working very hard to provide replacement formula as quickly as possible. The agency currently does not have any unaffected formula mentioned in the recall in inventory and any formula that must be ordered will take several days to arrive. We thank you for your patience and understanding.”     

Additional Informational

Information regarding the FDA’s investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella complaints in Abbott’s powdered infant formulas can be found here.

Information regarding Abbott’s voluntarily recall of powder formulas can be found on the FDA’s website here. Abbott also issued a press release, which can be found here.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HealthyPasco. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.