Many of you may already be aware of a recall of certain powdered Similac formula products due to the potential presence of two types of bacteria. There are four known cases of infants being affected by this issue so far. The types of bacteria as Salmonella and Cronobacter. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Cronobacter can cause more severe infections presenting with fevers, lethargy, or difficulty breathing. All infant formula goes through extensive testing for the presence of this bacteria before it is released for sale.
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 38 and
• the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
While it is unknown how many individual Similac products are affected by this contamination, it is likely to be a small number and should not be a cause for panic if your child has been using this formula. If your child does develop symptoms of an infection, they should be evaluated in the office by a medical provider. If your child is having no symptoms, there is no testing needed. Please note that we will not send stool cultures for babies without symptoms “just to check.”
Per FDA recommendations, please discontinue use of any Similac product that is part of the recall. You may return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Similac products that are not included in the recall can still be used safely. If you need to change your child to an alternative formula, there are many options including Enfamil, Gerber, Earth’s Best, and store brands that provide equivalent nutrition.
It is not safe to make your own formula at home or mix the formula other than as directed on the package or by a provider. Improperly mixed formulas or homemade formulas can result in infections, seizures, weight loss, and other serious conditions.
For more information or to see if your Similac product is involved in this recall, please see the Similac Recall website and FDA recall statement.