Insect-flavored baby formula

[marmar]

WASHINGTON — Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday it is recalling millions of containers of its best-selling Similac infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.

The voluntary action affects up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.

The recall does not affect any liquid formulas or other Abbott-brand products.

A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan.

"We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation," said Abbott's Melissa Brotz. "We're in the process of resolving it now." Abbott manufactures Similac at several U.S. sites.

Brotz said the company has been consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which determined there was no "immediate health risk" from the contamination. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20100922/US.Abbott.Infant.Recall/

[Renew Deal]

1. This is going to be a huge crisis with new mommies

And I bet Similac will be in much worse shape a year from now. Just look what happened with it was determined that the Graco Snugride Infant car seat was determined to be the safest. There was a run on them.

[Cairycat]

5. On the contrary, this will be just a small blip in their profits

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100922-710330.html

The maker of drugs and medical devices said the recall won't hurt earnings guidance the rest of the year. Abbott, though, will record about $100 million of sales returns for the third quarter. The top line is expected to approach $9 billion for the period.

The safest way to feed a baby will still be to breastfeed. Many women would like to do that, but run into societal barriers. Bug legs in the formula are gross to contemplate, but won't change the ways things are much. Good policies could help, though.

[thecrow]

2. Well, it is important from an early age

to familiarize your baby with all the food groups, but this is ridiculous

[Evasporque]

3. LOL!!! Buglac, Similarv....nt

[Mnpaul]

4. Walmart has the adult version

Kathy Wehmhoff says she found a bug the size of a thumbnail inside the can. Her sister Colleen was so grossed out she took a picture and posted it on Facebook.

Both say they want answers.

"I don't know how something that is nearly the size of my thumb or half the size of my thumb got through inspections, whatever safety practices that they put in place to prevent this," Wehmhoff said. "It's not acceptable to me. I don't care what they say
http://wcco.com/consumer/bug.body.asparagus.2.1925434.html

[Barack_America]

6. I'm curious to know where Abbott/Similac get their materials from.

And which component of the formula contained the insects.

[yella_dawg]

7. If the post about a bug above is factual

If the post about a big bug above is factual, then the insects must have colonized the packing equipment. Grasshopper leg dust is different from a whole bug. Processors are allowed a certain percentage of insect contamination in food products, but that's typically bits and pieces of bugs hauled in from the field. Whole bugs is a different matter.

[cleanhippie]

8. I am proud to say that my daughter has not had a single taste of formula.

My wife graciously breastfed and pumped for a year, then we put her on whole, organic cows milk.


Not everyone can do that, I'm glad my wife stuck it out.

[Barack_America]

10. Your family is very fortunate that breast-feeding worked out for you.

There are many women who are more than willing to "stick it out", but are unable to breast-feed due to physical limitations and infant refusal.

[cleanhippie]

11. I know, we were very fortunate.

Was just reading an article the other day that stated that Americans have the highest rate of breastfeeding at birth (something like 78%), but that at 6 months, its only around 35%!

[cbdo2007]

13. My wife and I have had a terrible time trying to breast feed...

and we're at 3 months of *mostly* breast fed but holy crap it hasn't been easy. From physical limitations to multiple allergies to ???? it's just been tough. We're crossing our fingers to make it to 6 months but I doubt we'll be able to make it past then.

[lightningandsnow]

12. I'm glad that you acknowledge that not everyone can do that.

I probably won't have biological children for a number of reasons, but if I did, I would most likely not be able to breastfeed due to medications I'm on, that I will probably be on for the rest of my life.

Seriously, few things annoy me more than people who assume everyone can breastfeed. So thank you!

[joeybee12]

9. Don't worry, the insects have been dispersed...or eaten by the bacteria

at the bottom of the can.