Similac Infant Formula Tainted With Beetles Lot Numbers Identified By Abbott

[UpInArms]

Source: Medical News Today

Some Similac powder infant formulas were found to be contaminated with small beetles and their larvae, prompting Abbot Labs to issue a voluntary recall. The affected products were distributed to retail outlets and medical facilities in the USA, Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean islands. According to Abbott, a fault was discovered in part of a manufacturing facility.

The beetle or larvae contamination risk is remote, Abbott stresses. The company adds that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) believes that infant formulas containing these beetles "pose no immediate health risk". However, there is a chance that babies might develop gastrointestinal discomfort. Gastrointestinal symptoms of irritation may also put the baby off eating, Abbot adds.

Should any parent or caregiver detect gastrointestinal symptoms that last more than a couple of days, they should consult a health care professional.

To check if your Similac product is affected by the recall Click here, and type the product lot number in the box, then click on "search". There is an image to the right of the search box; click on it to locate the lot number on the packaging.

Read more: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/202567.php

[JDPriestly]

1. Were these products processed, packaged, etc. in the U.S.?

If so, how in the world could this happen?

[madmax]

2. I would like to know where they were processed.

Article doesn't specify - states: 'a fault was discovered in part of a manufacturing facility'.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. just a few years ago...

they got busted for melanine contamination.

[madmax]

iirc that one was China. nt

[madmax]

10. dupe

[Moosepoop]

7. The facility involved is in Sturgis, Michigan.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-22/abbott-recalls-similac-infant-formulas-over-risk-of-beetle-contamination.html

An internal quality review found that formula made in the company’s Sturgis, Michigan, plant may contain parts of a small common beetle or its larvae, Abbott said today in a statement. The recall includes certain Similac powders sold in plastic containers and others offered in 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce, and 12.9- ounce cans. Liquid formulas aren’t affected.

<snip>

Abbott detected the problem last week through routine quality checks of not-yet-shipped formula and “immediately stopped production,” Kelly Morrison, a company spokeswoman, said today in a telephone interview. Subsequent testing of the entire inventory of Similac made in the Sturgis plant showed that 99.8 percent was uncontaminated, she said.

[madmax]

9. Thanks, I was thinking China. nt

[Nikia]

6. Companies that specialize in food for high risk populations are supposed to be extra vigalante

That said, grain beetles are extremely common. A couple of times, we discovered them at our company even though the product that they were in contact with was not their target food source. I have found them several times in my breakfast cereal. I am pretty sure that they came in the cereal since they were not present in other boxes of cereal that I had in the cupboard at the same time.

[HereSince1628]

3. When I lived in Ga I just accepted the flour beetles as a source of extra protein

and a bit of indigestible chiton.

Beetles can carry tapeworm larvae, but get infected from rat droppings and such. Rat droppings in the Similac seem worse to me.

[rawbean]

4. omg!

maggots and beetles are probably better for the little tykes than similac.

[Chulanowa]

8. The bugs are probably more nutritious than the formula

Someday the Western world will get over the notion that breasts are for decoration purposes only.

[JDPriestly]

11. Sometimes women cannot nurse their baby for health reasons

or because they have to work. I think nowadays everyone agrees that breastmilk is best at least for very small babies. Of course, some babies still like a bottle at an age at which breastfeeding is really a bit much for the mother.

Anyway, I think that the majority of women who have nursed their babies would strongly suggest that new moms try it for at lest the first 3 - 6 months if health permits.

I have heard great things about the La Leche League for mothers who are having problems.

[AngryOldDem]

13. I couldn'tt breastfeed. And I tried.

After about an hour of pumping, manipulating, you name it, to the point of being sore and almost physically ill, I could only produce enough to cover the bottom of a bottle. Not nearly enough for sustenance for a newborn. So I had no choice. I tried until the people around me, including my doctor, said "enough." My physiological makeup is such that breastfeeding was out for me.

And as far as I'm aware, all of my four kids show no adverse effects from being formula fed.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. Could be worse. They could be tainted with Rolling Stones.

Sorry. I'm going away now.