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BISMARCK — The North Dakota Department of Health on Friday, Feb. 18, issued an advisory for parents to check their powdered infant formulas after a large manufacturer issued a voluntary recall.
Abbott Nutrition, which makes the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands, announced a voluntary recall of some of its baby formulas manufactured at its plant in Sturgis, Michigan. The recalled formula was sold and distributed in North Dakota, according to the Department of Health.
Four infants have been hospitalized with illnesses linked to products from the Michigan plant. One of the infants died, but it's not confirmed whether the infant died solely from infection related to the recalled formula.
Three of the hospitalized infants were infected with cronobacter sakazakii bacteria, which can cause life-threatening sepsis or meningitis. One of the infants was infected with salmonella.
The FDA is urging parents to check if their formula is affected by the recall. The affected products have a code that begins in 22 through 37 and contains K8, SH, or Z2. The products have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later. People who have the recalled product should stop using it immediately, officials said.
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"Parents who have been using recalled products and notice any unusual behavior or illness in their infants are encouraged to contact their infant’s health care provider or seek medical care for their infant," said Laura Cronquist, Department of Health foodborne epidemiologist, in a statement. "Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent serious disease outcomes."
To learn more about the recall and to see if your formula is affected, enter the product code at www.similacrecall.com or call 800-986-8540.
