Baby Formula Recall Expanded Following Infant's Death

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded a recall of a popular powdered infant formula after a child died. Abbott Nutrition announced it is recalling one lot of Similac PM 60/40 made at a production facility in Sturgis, South Dakota.

The recalled formula is labeled with lot code 27032K80 on the individual cans, while cases of the formula have the lot number 27032K800.

The FDA said it has received four reports of children contracting Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of a Salmonella infection. The FDA said that two children have died, noting that "Cronobacter infection may have contributed to the cause of death for both ill patients."

Abbott issued a statement clarifying that the cases are under investigation.

"We want to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family. We value the trust parents place in us for high quality and safe nutrition and we’ll do whatever it takes to keep that trust," a company spokesperson said.

"The cases are under investigation and at this time the cause of the infants’ infections have not been determined. All infant formula products are tested for Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella and other pathogens and they must test negative before any product is released. In addition, retained samples related to the complaints for Cronobacter sakazakii tested negative for Cronobacter sakazakii. And the retained sample related to the complaint for Salmonella tested negative for Salmonella," the statement continued.

Abbott advised parents to watch for symptoms of a Cronobacter infection and take them to a health care provider if they experience poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, abnormal movements, lethargy, rash, or blood in the urine or stool.

The expanded recall comes just two weeks after the company recalled specific lots of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas over similar concerns. Products are included in that recall if they have all three items below:

• the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
• the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later