Similac baby formula contaminated with beetles, larvae

Friday, September 24, 2010 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
Tags: Similac, recall, health news

(NaturalNews) Drug company Abbott Laboratories is recalling millions of containers of its Similac baby formula powder because they may be contaminated with beetles or larvae, says a company press release. The voluntary recall extends across the U.S. and includes Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean.

According to reports, the company found beetles in sections of its Sturgis, Mich., plant, prompting plant managers to shut that section of the plant down and immediately begin an investigation into the situation.

"We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation," explained Melissa Brotz, Divisional Vice President of External Communications at Abbott. "We're in the process of resolving it now."

Affected cans include eight-ounce (227-gram), 12.4-ounce (352-gram) and 12.9-ounce (366-gram) varieties of certain powdered Similac formulas, as well as those sold in plastic containers. Consumers can check to see if their product is included in the recall by calling (800) 986-8850 or by visiting the following link: http://similac.com/recall/lookup.aspx

Though consuming the contaminated product can cause "gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract", the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strangely made an announcement that the beetle parts pose "no immediate health risk" to babies.

Abbott has stated that no liquid infant formulas are affected by the recall, but that consumers with affected powder products should cease their use and return them immediately to the company for a full refund.

"Delivering anything less than the highest quality infant formula is unacceptable to us," said Brotz. "We will do whatever is necessary to maintain the trust of parents in the coming weeks."

Sources for this story include:

http://abbott.vo.llnwd.net/o18/similac/recal...

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-New...