When you give your child formula, you want to be sure that it is safe for them. This food may be all they can eat safely or what is recommended due to colic or other issues.
Unfortunately, there are times when formula isn’t safe and has to be recalled. Sadly, getting to the point of a recall means that many infants may become sick or even die from exposure to dangerous bacteria or substances.
A voluntary recall of Abbott products
On March 10, 2022, news reports indicated that Abbott, a manufacturing company, had decided to voluntarily recall specific lots of its baby formulas including Similac, Alimentum, EleCare and Similac PM 60/40. The products, all powdered formulas, are all made in the manufacturing facility located in Sturgis, Michigan, and have been a part of two different recalls.
The recalls were issued after customers complained that their infants had been made sick after consuming these formulas. They alleged that both cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella Newport were indicated in those cases.
Two infant deaths are currently under investigation and may be linked to the recalls, but the causes of those infections haven’t yet been proven. However, there was evidence of cronobacter sakazakii in the plant in areas where it would not come into contact with the product, according to Abbott’s website. So far, no products have tested positive for either bacteria.
What should you do if your child shows signs of illness?
If your child uses these formulas or others, it’s important for you to watch for symptoms of illness. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include:
- Lethargy
- Rashes
- Blood in the urine or stool
- High fevers
- Aches
- Headaches
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
Any time a young child is sick, it’s important to reach out to their pediatrician to discuss the options for addressing the illness. If food poisoning, either through salmonella or other bacteria, is suspected, it may be important to get the child to a hospital for monitoring and treatment. While these issues rarely lead to complications, it is possible for infections to lead to death in some cases. If your child is injured, then you may be able to pursue a claim against the company for failing to meet the appropriate product standards.