Over 5 Million Cans Of Similac Baby Formula Have Been Recalled: Are You Affected?

Yesterday, Abbott Laboratories issued a recall of approximately 5 million cans of certain Similac-brand powdered infant formula. The recall stems from a reported beetle infestation at the company's main manufacturing plant. An Abbott spokeswoman revealed that the presence of a small common beetle was detected in the products produced at a manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Mich. This morning, the company confirmed that the recall affects only its plastic tub Similac products, reiterating that none of its liquid products are  affected by the recall. In particular, the recall includes certain Similac powder products that come in 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce, and 12.9-ounce cans. Abbott Laboratories has since stopped production of its powder based products and halted the shipment of the affected formula. The FDA recently noted that the infecting beetle, if ingested, could cause discomfort and irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing infants to lose appetite. Other side effects are also being claimed by parents of children who consumed the recalled product. According to initial reports, the recall is being issued in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean. The affected manufacturing plant is being fumigated, a process that started Wednesday and is expected to take about three days.

To help with the recall, Abbott created a website that parents and caregivers can go to for more information - www.similac.com/recall10. Alternatively, concerned parents can call Abbott's consumer hotline, (800) 986-8850, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sadly, while Abbott Laboratories created the "recall10" website  - the overwhelming traffic the site received caused it to crash. This crash left most concerned parents floundering in the dark & frustrated by the company's lack of response.  This morning, company spokespeople acknowledged that Abbott is aware of the problem and is determined to repair the website as quickly as possible. Once repaired, users who access the site will be asked to enter the lot number listed on their product container. After submission, the website returns a verdict, noting that your Similar is either "part of the recall" or "not". One problem complicating the process is the difficulty Abbott faces verifying the infected lot numbers. The recall covers several thousand lots of product which moved through the factory, some that varied by only one number. While many parents remain frustrated and angry, many experts argue that Abbott's struggles in the early stage of the recall are not uncommon. In fact, it is often difficult to get consumers good, accurate information early in a recall, a factor that can compound anxiety, desperation, and frustration. These feelings are especially relevant for family consumer products, particularly those consumer by children.